Abstract
Nurses are essential care providers for patients and families living with terminal illness. Expert nursing care has the potential to diminish suffering, optimize comfort, and improve patient outcomes. Assisting nurses to strengthen their skills and capacity in the provision of end-of-life care is an important element of continuous quality improvement. A learning needs assessment was undertaken to help a group of hospice nurses to identify their learning needs. Data were collected using a cross-sectional multiple-method survey approach. Interviews, a focus group, a survey, and clinical observation were conducted. Findings identified assessment, information sharing, provision of decision support, and practical care delivery strategies as key learning needs. Pain assessment and management was found to be the primary knowledge and clinical skill development need. Use of multifaceted data collection approaches provided a practical and effective way to elucidate learning needs. Findings can be used to guide the development of responsive, learner-validated educational interventions.