Adolescents and young adults (AYA) face some unique challenges in living with life limiting illness. Due to advances in medical treatment many AYAs have grown up through childhood with their illness, and despite needing ongoing treatment are no longer children. Others have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness as adolescents or young adults just as they are undergoing significant changes to physical, emotions and social autonomy.
These unique physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs require nurses to have proactive and appropriate knowledge and skills. Adolescents are transitioning into adulthood and independence, and this ongoing development has an impact on caring. [1-2] Many of these adolescents are now reaching adulthood and require support in transitioning to adult services. [2-3]