Breaking the Silence: Holistic Death Education in Nursing Curriculum Is Not Enough

Current death education primarily centers on nurses’ attitudes and competence in caring for dying patients but overlooks the holistic assessment of family and nurses themselves. Nursing students and new graduates often feel overwhelmed and unprepared when they encounter death or a dying patient in clinical settings, leading to emotional distress and inadequate care for the dying patient and their loved ones. The emotional impact of such experiences affects not only the nursing student but also the well-being of family members and the quality of care delivered to the patient. This article explores the importance and need for holistic death education for nursing students and new-to-practice nurses to carry out comprehensive assessments that address the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of families who might be losing their loved ones. The discussion offers suggestions and examples of what nursing education can provide, drawing on the perspectives of those who were once new nurses and reflecting on what they wish they had known before caring for the dying, handling death, and supporting those left behind. Implications focus on approaches for family assessment and self-assessment after death and potential considerations for structural changes in healthcare.