Advanced Diploma in Palliative Care Nursing

Offered by School of Health Sciences

Post-Diploma / 37 weeks

Note: Jointly offered and conducted by School of Health Sciences, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), and Assisi Hospice (AH). To receive an alert about the future runs for this course, please click on the INDICATE INTEREST button. Thank you. Please note that all applications for programmes will be done via STEP.
Course Information
Learning Outcomes
Course Schedule
Lesson Plan
Trainer Profile
Entry Requirements
Course Fees

Course Information

The Advanced Diploma in Palliative Care Nursing (ADPCN) addresses Singapore’s demand for palliative care services by equipping Registered Nurses (RNs) with advanced competencies essential for caring of patients and families facing serious illnesses. The course enables the RNs to progress to Advanced Diploma level and enables them to obtain profound insights and skills to deliver and coordinate high-quality end-of-life care using evidence-based practices.

Please contact Mis’Rohaiza Binte Amin. [email: Mis’Rohaiza_Amin@np.edu.sg/ contact number: 6460 6762] for any further enquiries.

Learning Outcomes

The programme aims to enable learners to:
(1) Perform health assessments focused on serious illnesses.
(2) Use pathophysiological and pharmacotherapy knowledge in patient management.
(3) Apply research-based evidence for person-centred care decisions.
(4) Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate nursing interventions.
(5) Use palliative care knowledge to optimize patient comfort.
(6) Consider ethical, social, and legal factors in patient care.
(7) Reflect on and optimize palliative care practices.
(8) Develop lifelong learning and self-evaluation skills.
(9) Share evidence-based knowledge through presentations and teamwork.
(10) Apply psychosocial strategies to maximize health outcomes.
(11) Enhance communication skills for effective inter-professional collaboration.

Course 
Schedule

Application date: TBC
Application outcome: TBC
Course start date: 14 Apr 2025, Monday
Course end date: 26 Dec 2025, Friday
(*Date may be extended if student needs to make-up for the days that he/she was absent during clinical practicum.)

Course structure and delivery mode:
Post-registration nursing course (790 hours) conducted over a duration of 37 weeks in a blended mode of deliveries i.e., part-time basis for theoretical modules conducted on-campus, and full-time basis for clinical practicum modules conducted at the clinical areas.

Lesson Plan

Post-Diploma Certificate in Applied Sciences in Advanced Nursing (PDC1)
Module
Health Assessment and Clinical Decision Making
This module aims to provide the learners with comprehensive foundation and principles of health assessment in clinical nursing practice. It will also provide comprehensive skills necessary to obtain data through complete health history taking and physical examination. Emphasis will be placed on the holistic and comprehensive approach of assessment. Variations of normality in the older persons will be taken into considerations in the assessment findings. Together with the relevant laboratory data, this module also equips the students with necessary knowledge underpinning the skills to make informed clinical decisions
Module
Applied Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
This module aims to provide learners with knowledge and understanding of pathophysiologic and pharmacologic considerations. This module will enable the students to gain a better understanding of underlying disease processes and relate the basic principles of pharmacology and the nursing process to selected drugs and their therapeutic use.
Module
Evidence-Based Practice
This module aims to provide the learners with the knowledge and application underpinnings the evidence-based practice. Based on the 5 steps of evidence-based practice, the students will learn to convert information into an answerable clinical question (ask), track down best evidence for answering the question (acquire), critically appraise evidence (appraise), integrate evidence into clinical decision making (application), and evaluate and seek ways to improve the next time (audit).
Post-Diploma Certificate in Advanced Palliative Care Nursing (PDC2)
Module
Principles and Practice of Palliative Care
This module introduces the principles of palliative care, encompasses the knowledge of palliative care services in Singapore and the seamless transition of care across settings through understanding the multi-disciplinary roles. It also aims to ensure the students are able to demonstrate comprehensive.
Module
Serious Illness Management
This module covers the current understanding of palliative care in common cancers and end stage organ diseases. It includes cancer biology, the diagnosis of common cancers, cancer screening, pathophysiology of non-cancer progressive diseases, general principles, and modalities of treatment for both cancers and non-cancer advanced diseases focusing on nursing management of patients' unique response and needs.
Module
Symptom Management in Serious Illness
This module covers the pathophysiology, assessment, and management of common symptoms in serious life- limiting illnesses including common emergencies encountered in palliative care. Students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills in caring for patients with serious life-limiting illness.
Module
Communication and Psychosocial Skills
This module examines the psychosocial perspectives in palliative care; focusing on commonly encountered psychosocial needs, including caregiver and bereavement support. Learners will explore the challenges of communication with patients of advanced diseases, and the role of nursing in accordance to their preferred care plans.
Post-Diploma Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practicum in Palliative Care Nursing (PDC3)
Module
Advanced Clinical Practicum in Palliative Care Nursing 1
This module provides the learners with the opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills they have learnt during a 2-week clinical posting at the palliative healthcare setting. The practitioners at the hospices and palliative care settings will guide the learners.
Module
Advanced Clinical Practicum in Palliative Care Nursing 2
This module provides the learners with the opportunities to further deepen their clinical skills while synthesizing and applying their knowledge and skills at various hospices and in-patient palliative care settings during a 8-week clinical posting. The practitioners at the hospices and palliative care settings will guide the learners.

Trainer's Profile

Hazel Lim Wai Ling

Hazel is a nursing professional and educator with a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing). She brings academic nursing foundations and research-related experiences to her role as a polytechnic lecturer, where she has been shaping the minds of future nurses since 2011.

With a five-year diverse work experience in dermatology, renal, and general wards as a nurse, and completed later by several years of research as a research nurse and research assistant, Hazel contributed to impactful studies that have advanced her understanding of various healthcare fields.

Hazel has made contributions to research, particularly in the areas of dementia and healthcare technology. Her published works include "Knowledge and Attitudes towards Dementia among the General Public in Singapore: A Comparative Analysis," featured in Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders in April 2023, and "Introducing a Healthcare-Assistive Robot in Primary Care: A Preliminary Questionnaire Survey," published in Frontiers in Robotics and AI in May 2023. These publications reflect her dedication to exploring innovative solutions and addressing public health issues.

In her teaching role, Hazel provides students with hands-on experience and bridges the gap between theory and practice. Hazel’s combination of clinical experience, research expertise, and teaching excellence makes her an invaluable asset to both her students and the broader healthcare community.

Jennifer Bao Zhenyuan

Jennifer is a highly skilled nursing professional with extensive expertise in perioperative nursing care, research, and education. She holds a diverse array of qualifications, including a Master of Clinical Research, an Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, an Advanced Diploma in Business Management, an Advanced Diploma in Perioperative Nursing, and a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing).

Jennifer honed her clinical skills as a perioperative nurse at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital, where she provided exceptional care to patients undergoing surgical procedures. She managed the complexities of the perioperative environment, ensuring patient safety and delivering high-quality care throughout the surgical process.

With over a decade of experience in education, Jennifer seamlessly integrated her clinical expertise with academic rigour, enriching the classroom with real-world insights. Her advanced qualifications in clinical research and business management further enhance her ability to contribute to evidence-based practices, Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses and business development.

Passionate about lifelong learning and professional development, Jennifer is committed to preparing learners to meet the evolving challenges of the healthcare industry, particularly in the fields of perioperative nursing and research.

Sabita Zakir Hussain

Dr. Sabita is a seasoned medical professional with a rich background in both clinical practice and healthcare education. She holds an MBBS and advanced qualifications, including a Specialist Diploma in Biotechnology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, and an Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance, combining her medical expertise with strong educational skills.

With over a decade of clinical experience as a medical officer in three different countries, Dr. Sabita has provided comprehensive care to patients across multiple specialties, serving both adult and pediatric populations in various healthcare settings.

In her role as an educator, Dr. Sabita is passionate about sharing her extensive knowledge and experience with future healthcare professionals. She teaches full-time and part-time courses, specialising in anatomy and physiology, applied pathophysiology, pharmacology, and human biosciences. Her teaching approach focuses on building foundational knowledge while encouraging learners to develop critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills essential for effective patient care.

Dr. Sabita’s diverse experience in medicine and education uniquely equips her to play a significant role in shaping the development of aspiring healthcare professionals, fostering their growth and preparing them for the challenges of the healthcare industry.

Tan Hong Yong

Dr. Tan is a medical professional and educator with a unique blend of expertise in both medicine and economics. Holding an MBBS and a Bachelor of Science in Economics, he has developed a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare and education.

With nearly a decade of medical work experience, Dr. Tan understands the complexities and demands of the changing healthcare environment. This extensive clinical background allows him to bring practical insights and real-world applications into his teaching. He teaches full-time and part-time nursing and healthcare-related courses, focusing on health assessment, anatomy and physiology, human biosciences, applied pathophysiology and pharmacology, and biology. His teaching approach lays the foundational knowledge that encourages his learners to think critically and reason so they can provide better care in a dynamic healthcare environment.

He has applied his leadership skills and economic acumen to be instrumental in aligning educational strategies with industry needs, ensuring the modules he is leading are both relevant and forward-thinking.

Dr. Tan’s educational philosophy integrates clinical expertise, economic understanding, and strategic management to prepare students for the multifaceted challenges of modern healthcare. He is committed to fostering a learning environment that encourages critical thinking, innovation, and continuous professional development.

Entry Requirements

Applicants with any of the following qualifications are invited to apply for the course:

All applicants should possess the following requirements at the point of application.
(a) A local Polytechnic Diploma (Nursing), Degree in Health Sciences (Nursing), or nursing qualification equivalent;
(b) A valid practising certificate from the Singapore Nursing Board; and
(c) At least 2 years of clinical practice and with a minimum of 1 year in the discipline of study.

Applicants who hold a Specialist Diploma in Palliative Care Nursing (SDPCN) or an equivalent palliative nursing qualification may be granted Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Validity period for these qualifications should not exceed four years.

For qualifications older than four years, an evaluation will be conducted according to the polytechnic’s RPL guidelines prior to acceptance.

Successful applicants for the RPL will be exempted from taking the following ADPCN modules:
• Health Assessment and Clinical Decision Making
• Principles and Practice of Palliative Care
• Serious Illness Management
• Symptom Management in Serious Illness
• Communication and Psychosocial Skills

Course Fees

Applicants / Eligibility Fees
Full Course fee$19633.08
PR Sponsored by SME$2044.36
Singapore Citizen Sponsored by SME$2044.36
Singapore Citizen Aged 40 & Above$2044.36
Singapore Citizen Aged Below 40$2944.96
Singapore PR$7853.23
Long-Term Visit Pass Plus$19633.08