ELNEC (The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium)

People in our country deny death, believing that medical science can cure any patient. Death often is seen as a failure of the health care system rather than a natural aspect of life. This belief affects all health professionals. Despite their undisputed technical and interpersonal skills, healthcare professionals may not be completely comfortable with the specialized knowledge and skills needed at the end of life. 

The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) project is a national education initiative to improve palliative care. The curriculum was developed by nationally recognized palliative care experts with extensive input from an advisory board and reviewers. ELNEC gives professionals the knowledge and skills required to positively impact the lives of patients and families facing serious illness or the end of life. 

Continuing Education credit is available. 

The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) Project is a national and international end-of-life/palliative care educational program administered by City of Hope (COH) designed to enhance palliative care in nursing. Materials are copyrighted by City of Hope and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and are used with permission.

ELNEC features specially-trained, experienced healthcare professionals addressing eight core topics: 

• Nursing care at the end of life
• Pain management
• Symptom management
• Ethical/legal issues
• Cultural considerations in end-of-life care
• Communication
• Loss, grief, and bereavement
• Preparation for and care at the time of death