Nurse Development Programme

Building Skills and Confidence in End-of-Life Care

Register your interest for 2027!

We are thrilled to run a second cohort of this highly evaluated Nurse Development Programme, offering a cohort of 30 early career nurses working in South East London with a 9 month programme which aims to nurture and sustain a thriving workforce of nurses who care for individuals with serious advancing conditions and those who are grieving.

Designed to empower nurses to improve end-of-life skills, encourage self-knowledge and self-care, and foster person-centred approach to practice. Ultimately, the programme supports nurses in their personal and professional development.

Applications are now closed and being processed. Do register your interest in the hope we can run a future cohort.

• Who is it for
• Programme
• Key outcomes
• Course leads

The programme is open to Band 5 and 6 nurses in the first few years of their career, who work with adults in South East London, who are interested in advancing their knowledge, skills and confidence in palliative and end-of-life care.

Applications are welcomed from nurses working in care homes, hospitals, mental health, general practice, community settings and prisons.

Applications for 2026 now closed – register you interest for 2027.

Programme dates: April – December 2026
Format: The programme includes 7 in-person teaching days, a one week placement,  approximately 1 day worth of coaching calls and online group learning (throughout the programme) and approximately 1 day of self-study.

Date	Description
21-23 April	Introduction to the course & Principles and Practice of Palliative and End of Life Care (in person)
14 May	Key skills (in person)
10 June	Key skills (in person)
August	Break
4 September	Professional Identity, Efficacy, Behaviour that Challenges (1-day in person)
November	Goal review & organisational change planning (online)
15 December	Progress review & personal planning & celebration (in person)

Placements

The week-long placements will be in either June, July, September or October (dates TBC) at either Community Hospice or St Christopher’s Hospice in both community and in-patient settings.

• Increased confidence, knowledge, and skills in caring for dying and grieving individuals
• A clearer understanding of the challenges faced in end-of-life care and strategies to address them
• The development of practical tools for building resilience and supporting well-being
• A plan for future personal and professional development beyond the programme
• Improved staff retention and long-term career development in south-east London

Leonor Pacheco 

Leonor is a Registered Nurse who trained in Portugal. She worked as a nurse in the inpatient unit at St Christopher’s for many years, including as a Deputy Ward Manager…

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Marie Cooper

Marie Cooper is a nurse with extensive experience in clinical leadership and practice development across a range of care settings. Having led change in previous roles, she now enjoys working…

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Heather Richardson

Heather Richardson currently works as a senior consultant to the Professional Learning Team and wider organisation of St Christopher’s.

Read More Heather Richardson