The role
What a palliative care nurse actually does, day to day.
As a palliative care nurse, you look after people who are living with an illness that will not get better. Your job is not to cure them, but to help them feel as comfortable and happy as possible and to support their family. You work in hospitals, hospices, or people's homes, and you often help people at the very end of their lives.
Your day involves talking to patients and their families to understand what matters to them, giving medicines to manage pain, and helping with practical things like washing and dressing. You work with doctors, social workers, and counsellors to make sure the person gets help with all their needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual. This is emotional work because you build relationships with patients and their families during an important time. It requires patience and the ability to be calm when someone is frightened or in distress, but many people find this one of the most meaningful nursing jobs.
Day to day
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