Hi there... I used to do L&D and palliative. Don't miss it much, but seeing nursing in the state it's in these days wish I could come back if for no other reason, than the complete lack of interest most people seem to have in their job. At least I cared. Re the course... If its a one day course you should be alright but if it's longer than a week you might want to take a rain cheque. Usually around the 3 week mark things get start to get hard... Food turns on you, drinks particularly pop (ugh!!! Still cant drink the stuff - not that I want to) tastes horrible!!!!!!! And the sores start - I found manuka honey staved off the worst till the end... Thank god, but everyone has varying opinions on whether it works or not. I found it really helped, but that's just my opinion - mind you it is $20 for a tub and I still have half of it 15 mos out. So it was worth a try in my books. Hugs... You'll get through this!