Publications by authors named "Cheryl L Petersen"

The aim of this study was to assess if an evidence-based educational program focused on vocation and calling could improve undergraduate nursing students' sense of meaning in life and sense of calling/vocation. Using a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design, a statistically significant increase occurred in sense of meaning in life and calling/vocation. Qualitative responses revealed growth in self-knowledge, importance of individual pathways, and recognition of nursing as one's calling.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The purpose of this pilot was to identify the effects of a 4-credit interdisciplinary undergraduate course focused on communication strategies to enhance spiritual care at the end of life. The course provided students with opportunities to enhance their ability to communicate empathically with individuals facing the end of life. Evidence-based content focused on ways to live each day with hope and gratitude, strengthen relationships, create a legacy, and find meaning and purpose in life and death.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

There is a distinct lack of literature related to the spiritual care of parents whose children with cancer are at the end of life. This has led to a dearth in evidence about how nurses may intervene with spiritual care interventions to best support these vulnerable parents. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the evidence regarding the value of spirituality/spiritual care in minimizing the vulnerability of parents whose children were diagnosed with cancer and who faced the end of life.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study evaluated the potential impact of an online spiritual care educational program on pediatric nurses' attitudes toward and knowledge of spiritual care and their competence to provide spiritual care to children with cancer at the end of life. It was hypothesized that the intervention would increase nurses' positive attitudes toward and knowledge of spiritual care and increase nurses' level of perceived spiritual care competence. A positive correlation was expected between change in nurses' perceived attitudes toward and knowledge of spiritual care and change in nurses' perceived spiritual care competence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Since the emergence of reports such as the and the , there continues to be a growing recognition of the multiple adverse effects of serious illness and chronic conditions, as well as the potential benefits of receiving palliative or end-of-life care. As modern technology expands its ability to support life, ethical dilemmas may be encountered in the provision of palliative or end-of-life care. Through integration of the precepts of palliative care and consideration of the relevant ethical principles, orthopaedic nurses may best meet their patients' comprehensive needs at an exceedingly difficult time.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: The aim of this paper is to report an analysis of the concept of spiritual care of a child with cancer at the end of life.

Background: Spirituality is a vital dimension of a child's experience at the end of life; providing comfort; support; and a sense of connection. Spiritual care is paramount to address the substantial spiritual distress that may develop.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Paraneoplastic syndromes may affect the central and peripheral nervous system of adults and children with cancer. Neurological symptoms may resolve with treatment of the underlying neoplasm. We report the case of a child with Wilms tumor who presented with generalized weakness, fatigue, ptosis, hypokinesis, dysarthria, urinary retention, facial diplegia, ophthalmoplegia, and autonomic dysfunction.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF