Essential Pain Management (EPM)

Over the course of eight weeks, NSMHPCN Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Consultants (PPSMCs) will work with EPM learners to provide foundational knowledge and skills in pain assessment, management, and evaluation from a palliative care approach. The focus of the course is on the pharmacological management of pain, which can then be applied to practice.

The focus of this course is on the pharmacological management of pain. Pain assessment, management, and evaluation are foundational skills for nurses working in any practice setting.  EPM aims to equip nurses with a foundational knowledge base and skills around pain management, from a palliative care approach, that can be applied to your practice.

EPM is designed to benefit and appeal to all classes of nurses who care for adults living with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses. It allows you set your own learning pace as you enhance foundational knowledge, interact with evidence-informed tools and resources to complete case-based activities, and engage in one or more coaching sessions designed to be responsive to your individual pain-related learning needs.

EPM

You will have eight weeks to complete the course. To receive an EPM certificate, you must:

  • complete the all online modules for Part 1 (EPM) and Part 2 (APM), and
  • One 90-minute coaching session and
  • One 3-hour coaching session,

Part 1 – Essential Pain Management (EPM) Curriculum (Total Hours: 18)

  • One Getting Started Module
  • Four Foundational Learning Modules:
  • One EPM Coaching Session (90 minutes) to target learner-specific needs
  • Multiple Case-based, Interactive Activities to practice tools and approaches
  • Multiple Self-Checks to help test learner understanding

Part 2 – Advanced Approaches to Manage Pain (AMP) Curriculum (Total Hours: 5)

  • One AMP Preparation Module
  • One AMP Coaching Session (3 hours)

Cost: $40.00

The course fee:

  • includes EPM and AMP Module Preparation
  • non-refundable once Brightspace platform has been accessed

Technology Requirements: Access to the internet to complete the online learning modules on D2L’s Brightspace learning platform along with access to the Zoom platform and an operational microphone and camera for participating in the coaching session(s).

Full Participation is mandatory to receive a certificate.

Online Registration Terms and Conditions Learn more

Upcoming Sessions
Fall 2025 #1
Course Dates: Sept. 8th, 2025 – Nov. 3rd, 2025
Registration Deadline: Aug. 25th, 2025
Independent Study: Sept. 8th, 2025 – Nov. 3rd, 2025
Coaching Session #1 Oct. 27th, 2025, 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Coaching Session #2 Nov. 3rd, 2025, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register: Click to Register
Winter 2026
Course Dates: Feb. 2nd, 2026 – Mar. 30th, 2026
Registration Deadline: Jan. 19th, 2026
Independent Study: Feb. 2nd, 2026 – Mar. 30th, 2026
Coaching Session #1 Mar. 23rd, 2026, 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Coaching Session #2 Mar. 30th, 2026, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Register: Click to Register