Domiciliary palliative care nursing: The challenges and differences

Working within an inpatient Hospice Unit for many years allows nurses to develop the necessary skills that enable them to give “total care” to their patients and loved ones. Being a member of a multidisciplinary team, where members share their expertise, enhances these skills.

This paper addresses the challenges and differences experienced when a career change sees a nurse moving from a work setting, where “total care” is provided by a cohesive and well structured team, to a work setting where “total care” is given by a team less structured and, at times, without the same resources or objectives.

Areas where differences were experienced included those of Duty of Care; Workplace Health and Safety; Patient’s Rights; Advocacy; Professional Accountability and Responsibility as well as the various personal challenges encountered. These areas will be covered during this presentation.