How to become a palliative care nurse

What does a job as a palliative care nurse involve?

As well as providing nursing support by assessing, planning and providing for peoples’ needs, as a Marie Curie Nurse, you’re there to make someone comfortable, give them emotional support and provide relief for carers.

Many families say they can’t thank their Marie Curie Nurse enough for the support they received as the person they cared for was dying.

Why choose a job in palliative care?

Working with people living with a terminal illness in their homes or in a hospice is very different to working in a hospital.

You have more time to spend caring for each patient, getting to know them and meeting their individual needs.

For this reason, palliative care nursing can lead to great job satisfaction, as you know you’re helping to improve someone’s quality of life, at a point when it’s most precious.

Many Marie Curie Nurses have happy memories of helping those they cared for enjoy their final weeks and days. Sometimes it’s the little things which really help, whether that’s watching a favourite film with them, or helping them feel pampered.

Isn’t working with people at the end of their lives emotionally hard?

As a palliative care nurse, you do get to know people who will die soon. But the role you play in helping them to be comfortable and to make the most of the time they have left is invaluable.

Good palliative care nurses make a meaningful difference to peoples’ lives when they are at their most vulnerable.

I’m a newly qualified nurse. Can I work in palliative care?

Yes. At Marie Curie, newly qualified nurses can and do become part of the team. We offer all the training and support you need to develop your skills. Read a blog by newly qualified nurse Faye about her experiences of starting out in palliative care.

Does being a palliative care nurse always mean working nights?

No. Although a lot of our community nursing happens overnight, we have a wide variety of nursing roles, including speciality posts.

As well as Registered Nurses, our nursing posts include Lead Nurse Managers, Ward Sisters, Clinical Nurse Managers, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Senior Nurses and Nurse Managers. Find out more about what these different roles mean.

Where do palliative care nurses work?

Some Marie Curie Nurses work in the community, visiting people in their homes as part of a planned, rapid response or other service.

Some are part of tailored nursing services in partnership with the NHS and other organisations. Others are based at a hospice and work with in-patients and out-patients. Find out more about the different types of nursing services we run.

What qualifications do I need to become a palliative care nurse?

The qualifications and experience you need will depend on the role you’re applying for. Have a look at our current job vacancies for specific information on nursing roles.

However, you do already need to be a registered nurse.

Experience of caring for dying patients is an advantage but not essential. If you want to work in the community, experience in community nursing is again an advantage, but not essential.

Community nursing means working as part of a remote team and you’ll need to be prepared to travel across your assigned area. So, you’ll need a driving licence and access to a car.

If you’re applying for a more senior role, you’ll need experience in palliative, end of life care or community care. Management experience is helpful too if the role includes managing staff.

I’m not a registered nurse but I want to work in palliative care

If you’re not a registered nurse, we also have healthcare assistant roles. These involve a broad range of nursing support activities and duties. Search for healthcare assistant roles in our current vacancies.

All your previous experience would be taken into account if you were to apply for a role with us.

Applying for nursing roles at Marie Curie

If you’re passionate about giving the best care and support to people at the end of their lives, take a look at our latest jobs and apply online today or find out more about the benefits we offer.

If you're interested in finding out more about the wide range of services that are likely to be available in your area for people affected by a terminal illness, take a look at our guide to end of life services.

You'll find more expert information, knowledge and support to help you deliver the best possible care for people living with a terminal illness on our Palliative Care Knowledge Zone.