Background
In 2003 the need for a national palliative care nursing organisation was identified by a small group of palliative care nurses led by Professor Margaret O'Connor. Palliative Care Australia (PCA) provided initial seeding funding and administrative assistance to enable Palliative Care Nurses Australia (PCNA) to become a reality. PCNA was officially launched at the Palliative Care Australia Conference in August 2005, followed by its inaugural conference held the following year. Conferences are now held every two years.

Vision
The vision of PCNA is:

To promote excellence in palliative care nursing for our community, through leadership, representation and professional support.

Goals /Aims
The aims of PCNA are to:

• foster the sustainability of the nursing workforce in palliative care
• promote the professional development of nurses providing end of life care
• provide opportunities for collaboration among members
• facilitate knowledge, research, education and policy in palliative care
• promote palliative care nursing in a changing environment
• encourage participation in local, national and international palliative care nursing activities

Membership
Membership is available to any nurse employed in palliative care or who has an interest in the nursing care of people at the end of life. Membership forms can be downloaded via the link on the membership page. Office Bearers and Committee Members are elected at the Annual General Meeting.