Summary The purpose of this descriptive field study is to determine what factors influence staff nurses' decisions for non‐documentation of patients' response to analgesic administration. The study, based on Herbert Simon's descriptive model of decision making, has two components: (a) to determine staff nurses' perceptions of the factors that influence their documentation as well as how frequently they document analgesic administration and (b) to determine the actual frequency of nurses' documentation. Data collected from 67 staff nurses using a questionnaire designed for this study and through an audit of 65 patients' charts allowed comparison of nurses' perceptions with their actual practice. Analysis involved both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The results of the study have implications for nurse educators and nurse administrators.

Over the past several years, healthcare professionals have developed policies, guidelines, and educational programs to promote the implementation of pediatric palliative care practices in acute and outpatient care settings. This article provides a description and listing of many of these resources to aid nurses as they strive to improve their palliative care knowledge and skills, and implement palliative care programs in their institutions.

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