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Death Happens Everywhere

Essential Skills for the Healthcare Team

Upcoming Workshops

 

Saturday

May 2, 2026

Kearney

Regular registration: $189/person
VIP registration: $289/person
Register: May (Kearney)

Wednesday

June 24, 2026

Falls City

Hosted by Southeast Community College and Southeast Nebraska Area Health Education Center Program
Regular registration: $119/person
VIP registration: $219/person

Thursday

July 30, 2026

Lincoln

Hosted by Southeast Community College and Southeast Nebraska Area Health Education Center Program
Regular registration: $149/person
VIP registration: $249/person
SCC options

If you need assistance: (402) 437-2700 or continuinged@southeast.edu

Register: SCC

What is Death Happens Everywhere?

Death Happens Everywhere is a full-day deep-dive for healthcare teams who are done guessing, done tiptoeing, and ready to handle death and dying with clarity, skill, and heart.

Hosted in person and group-based, each workshop combines education, exercises, and practice. This isn't a lecture — it's an engaging, supportive space to get clarity, ask questions, and create a new approach to death and dying.

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Led by

Amy Hensley, MSN, RN

With years of nursing experience in hospice and end-of-life care, Amy brings professional medical expertise and compassionate guidance to help you navigate these uncomfortable topics. Her nursing and teaching background means you're getting accurate, reliable information from someone who's been there.

What You'll Learn

Palliative Care & Hospice

Understand the differences, minus the myths and mixed messages.

The Dying Body

Recognize and know what to expect as the body goes through the dying process.

Emotional Intelligence

Goleman's model applies to healthcare because hard conversations require more than facts.

Communication Framework

Get language you can actually use when conversations get tough.

What You'll Practice

Grounding & Reflecting

Understanding your values and setting your intentions so your day is well-spent.

Hard Conversations

Build communication muscle by practicing with scenarios that sound suspiciously like real life.

Navigating Your Grief

Advocating for yourself includes acknowledging your grief so it doesn't hijack your compassion.

Supporting Each Other

Practical tools for creating a supportive working environment.

What You'll Leave With

  • A packet and pen with your workshop notes
  • Real-world information and evidence-based practices
  • Confidence to advocate for yourself, your patients, and your co-workers
  • Feeling reconnected to your why and your compassion
  • Connection with others navigating similar conversations

What participants say

Amy H

Amy delivered an engaging presentation. Her ability to transform a potentially sensitive topic into something genuinely enjoyable and accessible was impressive. She navigated the subject matter with grace and humor, ensuring we not only understood the key points but also had an entertaining experience. Her unique blend of wit, empathy, and masterful communication skills left a lasting positive impression on everyone, evident in the waves of laughter that filled the room.

Anthony P

Sips & Wishes is bringing to the forefront a subject that 90% of people don’t really wanna talk about and in most cases should (and will have to eventually!). Lots of great info. Amy was very well equipped to do this presentation (background and experience in this field). God bless her in her objective of educating the masses on this touchy subject.

Cathy Z

I didn’t know what to expect when I went to the Sips & Wishes workshop. The group was diverse in medical knowledge and life experience which made for well-rounded, thoughtful discussions.

Don't forget the 7.0 contact hours!

This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by VTL Center for Professional Development, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
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Why this matters

The Gap Analysis submitted to VTL for accreditation shows nurses report they did not receive education, or practice during school or while working for recognizing the characteristics of the dying body or when to refer patients to palliative care and/or hospice.

Healthcare workers put reactions aside and manage them later. Research has confirmed that the impact of ongoing stress and distress affects clinical practice, leads to compassion fatigue, increases rates of burnout, and can result in a desire to leave the field.

Healthcare is a team sport: no one survives in isolation; mentorship, community, and belonging are critical to success. Learning about death and dying is not about being morbid — it's about being prepared.

This matters because people matter.

Ready to register?

Join us for Death Happens Everywhere

 

I still have some...

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should attend?

Anyone who works in healthcare wants to support and witness the process that every single person will experience. This workshop is for nurses, social workers, pastoral care, aides, physicians, administration, and anyone who cares about patients and families.

What should I bring?

Just yourself and an open heart! We provide all materials, packet and pen for note taking, and lunch.

Is this only for nurses who work in hospitals?

Absolutely not! This is for anyone who wants to be present and grounded during hard conversations. These happen across all service lines and in every location, from clinics to senior living communities to hospice.

What if I get emotional?

That's completely normal and welcome. We create a safe, supportive environment where all feelings are honored. There's no pressure — just conversation and support.

Will I need to talk in front of everyone?

Only if you want to! We have group discussions and practices, but you're never required to share. You can participate at your own comfort level.

Will "Death Happens Everywhere" be offered where I live?

If you don't live nearby, connect with Amy to bring the workshop to your area.

Don't wait!

Reclaim and strengthen your love for the job you do every day.
Register today for a fun day of learning and sharing...and SEVEN contact hours of continuing education!