Purpose
This study aimed to confirm the mediating effect of compassionate competence in the relationship between perceptions of a good death and end-of-life care attitudes among ward nurses in younger generations. Methods: A total of 175 nurses in their 20s and early 30s who were working in general wards of a public hospital in Seoul were recruited. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire from February 20 to March 20, 2023, and were analyzed using the IBM 29.0 program. Results: Participants’ end-of-life care attitudes were positively correlated with perceptions of a good death (r=.22, p=.004) and compassionate competence (r=.32, p<.001), and compassionate competence was positively correlated with perceptions of a good death (r=.32, p<.001). Nurses’ compassionate competence was identified as a significant predictor of end-of-life care attitudes. As a result of the mediation analysis, a complete mediating effect of compassionate competence was confirmed in the relationship between perceptions of a good death and end-of-life care attitudes. Conclusion: To improve positive end-of-life care attitudes among young generation ward nurses, educational initiatives that emphasize compassionate competence, as well as understanding of a good death, are needed in both nursing education and clinical practice.

Purpose
To evaluate the effectiveness of a Silver Hour End-Of-Life (SHEOL) program in enhancing end-of-life care performance among new nurses. Methods: A nonequivalent control group pre-post test design was adopted. A total of 34 new nurses working at a tertiary general hospital participated in the study. The experimental group (n=17) participated in the SHEOL program, which was delivered through hybrid simulation (180 minutes), while the control group (n=17) received a theoretical lecture on end-of-life care (90 minutes). The intervention and data collection were conducted from August 8 to September 30, 2024. Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed a significant reduction in fear of death (χ2=11.69, p=.003) and significant improvements in attitudes toward end-of-life care (χ2=6.99, p=.030), self-efficacy of end-of-life care (χ2=6.51, p=.039), and performance of end-of-life care (χ2=20.07, p<.001) both immediately and 4 weeks after the intervention. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the SHEOL program can be effectively used to alleviate fear of death, improve attitudes and self-efficacy regarding end-of-life care, and enhance end-of-life care performance among new nurses.