Palliative care: "one voice, one vision," the mission of professional nursing for quality of life care approaching the end of life-the South Carolina Project

South Carolina Nurse, The, Jan-Mar 2003 by Brown, Karen M, Timms, Janet

Our South Carolina Plan of Action includes a survey of nurses that will be implemented at the November South Carolina Nurses Convention. The plan also includes a series of articles related to palliative and end of life care published in the SC NURSE, followed by educational offerings to District Nurses Associations and specialty groups within South Carolina. The plan also includes a series of articles related to palliative and end of life care published in the SC NURSE, followed by educational offerings to District Nurses Associations and specialty groups within South Carolina. The plan is flexible and we invite and encourage participation from the membership. If you would like to participate, please contact Karen Brown at 864-963-7621 or 864-233-0808.

A follow-up meeting will be held in September 2003 for the participants of the Leadership Academy for End of Life Care at the John Hopkins Institute in Maryland. During that meeting, participants will again share experiences, discuss the success of each groups Action Plans and discuss potential decisions related to the question "where do we go from here?" We look forward to having South Carolina Nurses Association in a pivotal position to create change for individuals, families and communities.

Death is the greatest certainty of life. As our population ages, caring for family members will increase. Nurses have the responsibility as well as the privilege to work with patients incorporating the art and the science of nursing in end-of-life care. Nurses have the opportunity to be a strong voice in creating the care of future end-of-life issues. We are challenged by society to provide compassionate quality care. "One Voice, One Vision" can bring us together working for a common goal looking toward our future.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt

Reference:

Gallup, G. (1997). Spiritual Beliefs and the Dying Process. Princeton, NJ: George H. Gallup International Institute.