How ELDAC Print Resources Help Students Gain Confidence in Palliative Care

A blog by Sue Watson, Senior Lecturer, Bachelor of Nursing, TAFE Queensland

Sue Watson, a Lecturer in the Bachelor of Nursing at TAFE Queensland, has extensive experience in aged care, clinical practice, and nursing education, with qualifications including a Master of Advanced Practice (Gerontological Nursing), a Joanna Briggs Aged Care Clinical Fellowship certificate, and a Graduate Certificate in Diabetes Education and Management.

Sue has worked in roles such as Aged Care Quality Assessor, Nurse Advisor, Facility Manager, GP Practice Nurse, and Oncology and Coronary Care Unit nurse.

Passionate about quality care, Sue is committed to preparing future nurses with the skills and knowledge to provide exceptional care for older Australians.

Here she writes how she has used ELDAC resources in her teaching:

Could you share a bit about yourself, your role, and your experience?

I am a lecturer in the Bachelor of Nursing at TAFE Queensland, specialising in Primary Care of the Older Person. My background spans clinical nursing in primary health (GP practice, diabetes education) and acute care (rural and local hospitals), as well as roles in aged care management, education, and quality improvement.

Education has always been a key focus of my career. I have provided in-service training for aged care staff, worked as a clinical facilitator, and taught students across a range of levels, from Certificate programs to Bachelor’s degrees. Through these experiences, I have seen first-hand the importance of equipping students with practical, evidence-based knowledge, especially in palliative and aged care.

Why is it important to educate diploma and undergraduate nursing students on palliative care?

Palliative care is a fundamental aspect of nursing, and students need to develop a person-centred approach early in their training. This means understanding how to assess and prioritise care needs based on each patient’s unique situation.

For older adults, nurses must take a holistic view, considering disease progression, palliative care pathways, and end-of-life care. When students gain confidence in these areas, they are better prepared to provide compassionate, dignified care to patients and their families.

How have you used ELDAC print packs in your teaching?

I have used ELDAC print packs for several years, integrating them into topics such as:

• caring for the older person
• palliative and end-of-life care
• wound management
• diabetes care.

These resources are engaging, easy to navigate, and filled with practical information. I encourage students to discuss them in groups, which helps them process challenging topics like end-of-life care in a supportive learning environment. Many students even take the packs to their workplaces to share with colleagues.

How have the ELDAC print packs supported you as an educator and helped your students?

The packs provide clear, digestible information, making them an excellent teaching tool. They allow for interactive learning, where students can explore the content together rather than just listening to a lecture.

I have found that some students prefer printed resources over online materials, as they can feel less overwhelmed and more engaged. The print packs give them a tangible resource they can return to, helping to build their knowledge, skills, and confidence in palliative care.

Teaching about aged care and end-of-life care can be challenging. How have these resources helped introduce or enhance these topics?

Palliative and end-of-life care can be emotionally complex for students. The ELDAC print packs make these topics more approachable by presenting information in a way that is structured, visually engaging, and easy to understand.

When students first encounter palliative care concepts, they sometimes find the online format overwhelming. However, once they have explored the print packs, they gain confidence in navigating additional resources and feel more comfortable engaging with the subject matter.

Would you recommend the ELDAC print packs to your colleagues? If so, why?

Absolutely, and I already have. The packs are colourful, well-organised, and easy to use. They provide a great alternative to online resources, which students sometimes find harder to digest.

Beyond education, these resources are also beneficial for:

• nurses and caregivers needing clear, practical guidance
• older adults and families navigating palliative care decisions
• educators looking for engaging teaching materials.

If you’re an educator, clinician, or aged care provider, I highly recommend these resources.

 

You can order ELDAC print materials here or learn more about ELDAC’s resources on their website.

 

Main Image: Clinical Labs
TAFE Queensland's Southport campus, Gold Coast.