Leadership
This type of nursing leadership is demonstrated when the nurse explains the meaning of palliative care in clear, culturally sensitive language to reduce fear and misunderstanding for Mr. Lee and his wife.
This reflects which type of leadership?
Informal Leadership
The nurse is using bedside influence, not positional authority, to change understanding and reduce stigma around what palliative care means
This subset of palliative care is reserved for patients with a life expectancy of six months or less, focuses entirely on comfort rather than cure, and often includes bereavement support for families.
Hospice
Hospice is a specialized form of palliative care that emphasizes comfort, dignity, and quality of remaining life when curative treatments are no longer effective. Including family support after death helps with bereavement and emotional adjustment.
During a meeting with Mr. Lee and his wife, the nurse explains what palliative care means in simple, culturally appropriate language, checks their understanding, and provides written and verbal resources to help them make informed decisions.
Which 2 CNO competencies can be seen here?
Communicator & Educator
Communicator: Uses clear, empathetic, culturally sensitive language to ensure understanding.
Educator: Provides teaching that supports informed decision-making.
Aligns with a palliative approach by reducing fear and empowering patients and families.
The charge nurse notices that staff are unsure how to discuss palliative care in non–end-of-life terms and proposes a team huddle or educational training to improve consistency in understanding.
This reflects which type of leadership?
Formal Leadership
Comes from having an assigned position of authority within an organization, where decision-making power and responsibility are clearly defined. Illustrates systems-level leadership that extends beyond bedside care, aiming to improve team education and patient outcomes.
Palliative care is only for dying patients and can not be provided alongside curative treatments at any stage of serious illness.
Is this true or a misconception?
Misconception
This misconception can delay referrals and limit symptom management. Educating patients, families, and providers that palliative care is compatible with ongoing treatments encourages timely integration, improving comfort and quality of life throughout the illness trajectory & reduces stigma around what palliative care means.
Seeing that Mrs. Lee may struggle with her own health, the nurse arranges home supports, follow-up appointments, and a palliative care team to address the physical, emotional, and social needs of both Mr. and Mrs. Lee.
Which 2 CNO competencies can be seen here?
Coordinator & Collaborator
Collaborator: Works with the interprofessional team to ensure holistic care.
Coordinator: Organizes services, appointments, and community supports to maintain continuity.
Supports palliative care by promoting independence, reducing caregiver strain, and improving quality of life.
The nurse notices Mr. Lee becoming quiet and withdrawn during the discussion about dialysis and gently pauses the conversation to ask, “Can you tell me what worries you the most right now?”, giving him space to express his fears and values.
This reflects which type of leadership?
Informal Leadership
The nurse is using awareness, empathy, and timing to guide the direction of care. Rooted in therapeutic communication and respect for the patient's emotional experience. It aligns with a palliative approach by prioritizing meaning, goals, and comfort before treatment decisions.
In palliative care, this intentional process aims to reduce unnecessary or non-beneficial medications—such as antihypertensives or statins that no longer improve quality of life—especially when the patient is taking an average of 10 or more medications. This approach helps limit side effects, decrease caregiver burden, and refocus care on comfort rather than disease prevention.
Polypharmacy
By reviewing and discontinuing non-beneficial medications, the healthcare team can focus on symptom management, enhance patient comfort, simplify medication regimens, and support the patient’s goals of care. This approach aligns with the core principle of palliative care: prioritizing quality of life over aggressive disease treatment.
The nurse notices that Mr. Lee seems confused after starting a new pain medication. She carefully reviews his medications, monitors his symptoms, and works with the nephrologist to adjust the pain plan so he remains safe and comfortable.
Which CNO competencies can be seen here?
Clinician
Demonstrates assessment, clinical judgment, and evidence-informed decision-making.
Directly supports symptom management and quality of life within a palliative care framework