My name is Sachin Dwivedi, a registered nurse and clinical instructor at the College of Nursing, AIIMS Rishikesh, India. My journey into palliative care began six years ago—not in a hospital, but in the home of a colleague whose wife was newly diagnosed with a serious illness.
She was in denial, overwhelmed, and had lost hope. I visited her twice within a month, simply offering time and presence. Two months later, she chose to begin treatment. Today, after two years of chemotherapy and radiation, she is healthy and thriving. That experience awakened something profound in me—the power of compassion and companionship in the face of suffering.
I am so excited about the launch of the Global Palliative Nursing Network’s (GPNN) WhatsApp group and want to share with you what impact it is having already!
A Global Circle of Care: How GPNN’s WhatsApp Communities Are Changing Palliative Nursing
The Global Palliative Nursing Network (GPNN) has launched a series of WhatsApp communities designed specifically for palliative care nurses around the world. These aren’t just messaging groups. They are living ecosystems—places of belonging, spaces of safety, and sources of professional and emotional strength.
Today, nearly 200 nurses from across continents are connected through GPNN’s digital communities, sharing knowledge, seeking advice, and standing by each other through the challenges and triumphs of palliative care.
Reuniting Across Borders
In one example, Janane from Lebanon and Xuan from Taiwan—both experienced palliative care nurses—reconnected after 12 years through the GPNN network. They discovered they were both attending EAPC2025 and met in person, reaffirming the global bonds forged through shared commitment and practice.
Support in Real Time
These groups meet nurses where they are—whether in a remote clinic or a large urban hospital. They offer real-time support from colleagues who understand the realities of end-of-life care.
“We are currently caring for a 94-year-old patient with dementia receiving long-term enteral feeding and frequent respiratory infections. I posted a message at 5:00 PM. By 5:15, I had thoughtful, supportive replies from three nurses. I was moved to tears—not by the situation, but by the solidarity.”
— Niraj Tiwari, Nurse, India
Shared Knowledge, Practical Help
In the Educational & Research Resources Group, nurses share everything from clinical guidelines to training modules. Practical questions find practical answers—quickly.
“Does anyone have guidance on working with MND in palliative care? Especially training family caregivers around breathlessness or choking?”
— Kerene, Nurse, South Africa
Pediatric Palliative Care: Collective Experience
One of the fastest-growing groups has been focused on pediatric palliative care. Within days of launching, more than 120 nurses from places like Kenya and Kerala joined. They now exchange resources, advice, and personal stories to navigate the unique complexities of pediatric cases.
“I struggle to explain pediatric palliative care myths and truths to my team. I want to empower my colleagues here in the Philippines.”
— Coy, Nurse, Philippines
A standout moment: Kenyan nurses shared their national Paediatric Palliative Care Guidebook, offering a valuable resource to colleagues around the world.
A Trusted Space for Honest Questions
Another space—Ask Your Questions—has become a trusted outlet for nurses to raise difficult issues, clinical or emotional.
“I asked how to care for a transgender patient in palliative care. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing. The responses I received were gentle, respectful, and informative.”
— Nurse, Philippines
These WhatsApp groups may seem simple, but they represent something powerful: nurses supporting nurses, across language, geography, and experience. They offer not just knowledge, but connection—a global circle of care that makes every shift a little lighter and every challenge a little more manageable.
As GPNN grows, so does the possibility of what palliative nurses can do—together.
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This article, first published on the St Christopher’s Hospice website is republished here with permission.
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