I've worked in end of life care for 23 years - here are the surprising things I've learned about death
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A palliative care nurse has revealed the surprising things she's learned about death and dying after working in end-of-life care for 23 years. Jan Palmer, 64, a Marie Curie nurse based in a hospice in Cardiff, is due to retire on Christmas Eve after 42 years in the role.
![[Jan, 64, says she's absolutely 'loved' her job and never considered doing anything else]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/15/93238525-14186865-image-m-46_1734450600919.jpg)
During her time in palliative care, Jan has worked with patients in the hospice, and provided emotional and clinical support on the free helpline for those who are living or caring for someone with a terminal illness. Despite challenging moments in her long career, Jan says she's 'never' considered leaving the role and has 'loved it' since day one, when she first stepped into the hospice in 2002.
![[Part of the role involves speaking to patients and relatives on the Marie Curie support line]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/26/11/93238519-14186865-Part_of_the_role_involves_speaking_to_patients_and_relatives_on_-a-3_1735211018823.jpg)
Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL ahead of her retirement, Jan has revealed the surprising things she's learned about death and dying. Contrary to public belief, Jan said she has seen 'more good deaths than not' and that her time in palliative care has 'absolutely' brought her greater peace of mind about her own death.
![[Jan tries to personalise her answers in each case but knows she has to be prepared for anything]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/15/93238523-14186865-Jan_tries_to_personalise_her_answers_in_each_case_but_knows_she_-m-50_1734450816773.jpg)
She said: 'An individual's death can look so different. But I firmly believe that with the right support in place, the vast majority of us can have a good death. 'The public doesn't necessarily know what it could look like, and that's half the battle, if it's demystified. Because I have the information, I feel comforted.
Jan Palmer has worked in end of life care for 23 years. As her retirement approaches, she speaks to FEMAIL about what she's learned about death and dying. 'It's a very natural process, the dying process, and it genuinely isn't to be feared. It's natural to be fearful of it because we don't always have the right information and we've never had that open conversation with anybody.
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