Embrace the Uncomfortable
Continuing professional development about death and other hard conversations
What we offer
Workshops and Seminars
I found him sitting on the edge of his bed during 2am rounding. He looked up at me with tears in his eyes, his hair mussed from restless sleep. His voice was soft when he said, "I don't want to do this anymore."
Everybody dies. Are you comfortable having a conversation with a patient or their loved one about their end-of-life? How do you manage your grief? Will you recognize the signs during a head-to-toe assessment?
Where do you find your continuing education hours?
Because some professional development can be so dull!
Dry...boring...same ole same ole. Click quiz click quiz.
Before the Casket has workshops and seminars — developed by nurses, social workers, and aides — that are actually applicable to your job.
One-day workshop presented by nurses for the whole healthcare team
Death Happens Everywhere: Essential Skills for the Healthcare Team
Nurses receive 7.0 contact hours
Created by Amy Hensley and content experts.
Facilitated by Amy Hensley, MSN, RN.
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.
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.
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.
i'm READY TO register and get 7 hours of continuing education!!
Death Happens Everywhere:
hosted by Southeast Community College
June 24: Falls City, Nebraska
July 30: Lincoln, Nebraska
Falls City Regular: $119
Falls City VIP: $219
Lincoln Regular: $149
Lincoln VIP: $249
What's different about the VIP experience?
If you need assistance:
(402) 437-2700 or [email protected]
For future dates and locations, check back for the calendar.
If your organization is interested in hosting the workshop for your team, contact us for a proposal.
Death Happens Everywhere makes an excellent pre-conference workshop.
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.
WAIT!!! 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.
Compassionate Conversations
Individual conference topics for the entire healthcare team
Don't Panic, It's Just Death (And You Can Handle It) (1 or 2 hours)
This real-talk session gives healthcare staff practical tools for recognizing decline, documenting clearly, and opening hospice conversations without shutting them down. Learn what dying looks like, what to do, and how to stay grounded—because death is inevitable, but panic isn’t.
From ER nurse to death advocate (1 hour)
We all have our CPR cards. Have you done it? How do you explain a patient's care rights to them? Practice these difficult conversations and be an advocate.
When Home Means Here: Rethinking Hospice in Assisted Living (2 hours, or Part 1 & 2)
Death doesn’t wait for a hospital bed — it happens here, too. Yet too often, assisted living residents are transferred away from the place they call home in their final days. Spot the signs before the crash. Ditch the awkward for clarity and comfort. Advocate, acknowledge, and support. This session challenges administrators to rethink hospice as more than a referral, but as a partnership that supports residents, families, and staff.
Grief: I didn't think it was going to be this hard (1 hour)
Healthcare workers carry grief quietly — and often alone. This session names and normalizes professional grief, offering practical reflection and language to support those who care deeply while continuing to show up, human and whole.
When a Person is Dying: A Nurse's Perspective (1 hour)
What happens when someone is dying? Get a mile-high understanding that demystifies the process and reduces fear. Recognize the signs, communicate clearly, and support families with compassion and confidence.
More seminars coming soon!
Submit your ideas for conference breakout sessions.
Interested?
If you are hosting a conference and are interested in Compassionate Conversations, please reach out.
Testimonials
Evaluations from the audience
"Amy was engaging and so incredible. This was heartfelt, honest, and educational. Please have more speakers like this at future conferences!"
"This seminar exceeded my expectations. There are ethical implications and support that families desperately need in end of life care."
"This was completely different than any other lecture. Amy had us interacting with each other and ensured we were taken care of."
"The content along with audience participation brought up some good ideas for handling a conversation that can be very difficult."
"Rich and robust information. Great openness to discussion and variety of activities. Loved the detailed handout and slide deck to support the material, along with the videos and humor."
"This was so eye opening for me. I can bring this whole talk back to our debriefing group and improve our staffs' support."
"I definitely think you need to have many 'Amys' in Nebraska and nationwide to bring this important topic more out in the open."
"Amy was so personable and her information was very educational. Clear and concise learning and application/practice of an important topic. Bravo!"
"Wonderful speaker with good information. I'm working on getting Amy here to do some training for our staff."
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