Undergraduate nursing students’ palliative care knowledge and attitudes towards end-of-life care: a cross-sectional descriptive study

Abstract

Background

It is crucial that future nurses be prepared with the knowledge and skills to provide palliative care (PC).

Aims

This study aimed to investigate Mongolian nursing students’ PC knowledge and attitudes towards end-of-life (EOL) care, as well as identify related predictors.

Methods

Participants were 141 students who enrolled in nursing program in Mongolia.

Results

Mean Palliative Care Quiz for Nursing (PCQN) score was 7.15 out of 20. The mean Frommelt Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying (FATCOD) score was 64.2 out of 100. Older age, male gender, and higher satisfaction with nursing school were significant predictors of higher levels of palliative care knowledge. Living in traditional Mongolian housing (Ger) and having clinical EOL experience were significant predictors of positive attitudes towards EOL care.

Conclusions

Mongolian senior nursing students were inadequately prepared to provide PC. PC nursing education in Mongolia needs to be improved to meet an appropriate global standard.

Keywords:

• attitude
• knowledge
• Mongolia
• palliative care
• students
• nursing

Disclosure statement

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.