Table 4 Themes and subthemes

Students’ reports of how they implemented their learning in practice

1. Encountering patients and diagnosing the need for palliative care

2. Communicating with patients, their families and the wider care team

3. Assisting with physical care needs

4. Providing psychosocial and spiritual care

5. Reflecting

6. Avoiding difficult interactions.

Facilitators of palliative care learning transfer to practice

1. The palliative care nurse

2. Supportive nurses and family caregivers

Barriers to the transfer of palliative care learning to practice

1. Being a student

2. Qualified nurses

3. The practice setting

4. Patients and family caregivers