Purpose: This study aimed to develop a scale to measure nursing practice in end-of-life (EOL) care and examine its reliability and validity. Method: A cross-sectional survey using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was conducted among nurses working in wards with ten or more patient deaths in the previous year among four hospitals with palliative care units. Results: Of 369 questionnaires distributed to nurses, 79 (21%) were completed and returned. As a result of the exploratory factor analysis, a scale consisting of 18 items in one subscale was developed Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.95 for the entire scale, indicating sufficient internal consistency. Comparison of scale scores between groups that received comprehensive EOL education and those that did not demonstrated known group validity. Conclusion: The newly developed scale to measure nursing practice in EOL care was confirmed to have sufficient internal consistency and known group validity. This scale may contribute to measuring nurses’ EOL care practices regardless of diseases and the effectiveness of EOL nursing education.

Purpose: To determine how nurses perceive the need for advance care planning (ACP) for chronic heart failure with patients and their families. Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered with 427 nurses who were affiliated with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators and resynchronization therapy. The survey included 13 items related to the need for ACP for simulated advanced heart failure cases with patients and their families. Results: Valid Responses were obtained from 207 nurses. On out of all items, the least proprtion of participants (51%) responded “giving predictions about functional prognosis and life expectancy” should be performed with patients. The participants’ perceptions regarding 8 items, which included the items on communication about prognosis, reflected their belief that ACP should be performed with family members rather than the patient. It was found that participants with certification in chronic heart failure nursing were more likely to respond in favor of ACP being performed with the patients in relation to 7 items, which included “ask about what has been important in one’s life”, and being performed with the family in relation to 10 items that included “ask the family what kind of life you want the patient to have hereafter”, as compared to other nurses. Conclusion: Regarding ACP, it is suggested that nurses are careful in discussing prognosis with patients, and certified nurses tend to attach importance to the individualities and values of patients and their families.