Overview

Grand Valley's Palliative and Hospice Care II graduate badge is an advanced course designed to deepen students' understanding of symptom management in palliative and hospice care. This three-credit online course focuses on the assessment and management of both pain and non-pain symptoms in patients who could benefit from palliative and hospice care

The course covers a variety of topics essential for effective symptom management. Students will explore:

• Both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches to symptom relief.
• Incorporating physical, psychological, sociological, and spiritual considerations into their care strategies.
• The importance of a holistic approach to managing complex symptoms in patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the personal, professional, and societal aspects of delivering care to terminally ill patients. This knowledge helps them manage symptoms more effectively, increase patient satisfaction, and ensure efficient use of resources. The program's online format provides flexibility, making it accessible to a wide range of students, and the digital badge enhances their marketable skills in the field of palliative and hospice care.

A digital badge, or badge, is a record of achievement that recognizes a student's completion of a coherent and meaningful academic experience. GVSU offers both credit and non-credit bearing badges as digital credentials. Credit-bearing badges include anywhere from 0.5 to 15 academic credits and may include additional noncredit criteria. Credit-bearing badges are also posted to the academic transcript.

Admission Information

Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; you must submit an official transcript from your baccalaureate degree granting institution. It is not required to be admitted to a graduate degree program to complete the badge. To start your application, click here. 

For current GVSU students:

• Declare your badge via myBanner. Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate badge from the drop down list, and click Submit.
• Speak with the appropriate badge coordinator to ensure criteria are being met. You will be able to track your progress toward the badge in myPath as well!
• Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the badge via myBanner.
• Once the completion of your badge has been verified, the badge will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript. In addition, your digital badge will be posted on Credly.com.