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Embrace the Uncomfortable

Continuing professional development about death and other hard conversations

What we offer

Before the Casket Courses

Contact hours for nurses, paramedics, social workers, aides, and other healthcare team members
 
Professional development can be dull, dry, boring, same ole same ole, click quiz click quiz.

Before the Casket developed workshops and seminars applicable to your job.

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?

One-day workshop presented by nurses for the whole healthcare team

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Death Essentials: Skills you shouldn't learn on the floor (nurses receive 6.5 contact hours)

Created and facilitated by Erin Putney.

Join our transformative workshop to navigate the complexities of end-of-life care with grace and empathy.

  • Discover the power of emotional intelligence at the bedside
  • Explore the nuances between palliative care and hospice
  • Master the art of meaningful end-of-life conversations
  • Gain insight into the dying process
  • Delve into grief and self-reflection
  • Equip yourself with essential conversation techniques for profound connections

Delivered in person and group-based.
Morning snack and lunch provided.

 

Our next workshop:

 

Lincoln: Fri, October 24

In partnership with Southeast Community College!

SCC - BTC Oct 2025 REGISTER HERE

 

Watch for our 2026 schedule!

 

If your organization is interested in hosting the workshop for your team, contact us for a proposal.

 

Death Essentials makes an excellent pre-conference workshop.

 

This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by the Midwest Multistate Division, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Individual conference topics presented by nurses for the whole healthcare team

Compassionate Conversations
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Hospice 101: But I don't work in hospice! (1 or 2 hours)

Think hospice doesn't apply to your role? No need to be nervous. Let's increase your comfort with the dying process, including knowing how to identify patients who may be appropriate for hospice referral, how to chart the changes and what to do when a patient dies.

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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.

More seminars coming soon!

Submit your ideas for conference breakout sessions.

Interested?

If you are hosting a conference and are interested in Death Essentials or Compassionate Conversations, please reach out. We live in Lincoln, Nebraska, but we are willing to travel!

Get in Touch
Why enroll?

Amy & Erin are highly qualified

Did you read the bios on the home page?

As Master's prepared educators, we developed and honed these workshops and seminars.

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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."

"Phenomenal! 10/10 would highly recommend. So many people signed up for this seminar that the room was Standing Room Only!"

"The content along with audience participation brought up some good ideas for handling a conversation that can be very difficult."

"My favorite session today. Erin is clearly an amazing educator. I would love to work along side you. Your students are very fortunate to have you."

"Your presentations are awesome and so helpful. You’ve got me thinking of so many changes I can make. I got some good ideas for this hard topic."

"Excellent presenter! Loved Erin's bubbly and engaging personality. I could learn from her all day! She should be a keynote speaker."

"Amy was so personable and her information was very educational. Clear and concise learning and application/practice of an important topic. Bravo!"

"Erin was incredibly inspirational. Her energy makes me want to be better. Simple yet innovative. My favorite session so far."

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See us in action

  • Hastings Erin conference
  • Amy in Omaha
  • Hastings Erin conference also