Spiritual Distress Manifested in a Teenager After a Stem Cell Transplant.

A mother and nurse 20 years after her son's tragic death, after a high-risk stem cell transplant, learns that his major behavioral changes while in strict isolation came under the term of spiritual distress. Through her personal experience, the writer describes how her son's thoughts and feelings were expressed in behaviors, atypical for his usual demeanor. This article highlights the importance and value of healthcare providers listening to a parent's perceptions of their child's state of mind.

End-of-life nursing education: Enhancing nurse knowledge and attitudes.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a palliative and end-of-life care nursing education program on nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward caring for patients with advanced serious illness or nearing death.

Background: It is projected that 9 million Americans will be over 85 years old, in the year 2030; many will be living with disabilities and serious medical conditions. Expanding access to palliative care resources and knowledgeable providers is essential for meeting the future demands required by the aging population.