Li Na Xu is a valued member of PCNSW and serves as the Secretary of the Palliative Aged Care Network, a professional network we strongly support. She works as a Nurse Practitioner in residential aged care, focusing on palliative and aged care. In this role, Li Na facilitates advanced care planning discussions and connects patients with appropriate allied health services, specialists, or local hospital avoidance programs.
Additionally, she mentors junior nurses and collaborates with nursing staff, patients, and their families to develop comprehensive nursing care plans—including those for palliative and end-of-life care, while identifying high-risk clinical areas to provide targeted education.
In recognition of Aged Care Employee Day, we spoke to Li Na about her role, the challenges and opportunities, and her career pathway that got her to where she is today. Here’s what Li Na shared.
What are the important components of your role in the position that you have?
An important component of my role is the ability to intervene early in an elderly patient’s care, which can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life. Equally vital is the opportunity to influence care at a broader level by contributing to the development of policies and procedures that shape practice across the organisation.
Additionally, my role involves bridging the gap between the medical and nursing models of care, ensuring a more integrated, holistic approach that benefits both patients and the wider care team.
“Strong leadership is essential; someone needs to confidently guide the direction of care to ensure it remains patient-centred, well-coordinated, and responsive to evolving needs.”
What personal or professional skills are important for you to be able to do your job well?
Fulfilling this role successfully depends on being both culturally and emotionally sensitive. Understanding and respecting cultural values enables me to provide care that is appropriate and meaningful to each individual and their family. At the same time, I must remain emotionally attuned without being overwhelmed by the emotions of patients, families, or the medical team, maintaining a calm and grounded presence in often challenging situations.
Strong leadership is essential; someone needs to confidently guide the direction of care to ensure it remains patient-centred, well-coordinated, and responsive to evolving needs.
What’s the best part of what you do?
The best part of what I do is being able to introduce the concept of palliative care early to patients and their families, helping them understand what it means and how it can support quality of life throughout their journey.
Equally rewarding is the opportunity to mentor junior nursing staff, building their confidence and capacity to have open, compassionate conversations about palliative care.
Supporting both families and colleagues in this way creates a stronger, more informed approach to care that benefits everyone involved.
What do you find the most challenging?
One of the most challenging aspects of my role is navigating the varying levels of death literacy among families, patients, and even some nursing staff and doctors. Some cultures or belief systems don’t have a word or concept equivalent to palliative care, which can make early conversations difficult.
While we aim to introduce the idea of palliative care as early as possible, not everyone is ready or willing to engage in that discussion until the very last moment.
Trying to explain what palliative care involves during a time of crisis or grief adds another layer of complexity, as emotions can be high and understanding can be limited.
What made you choose Palliative Care as a career?
When I first entered aged care, it was quite daunting. I was the only registered nurse on the floor, in charge, with no doctor onsite to consult. One of my patients had end-stage dementia and was having trouble swallowing. She involuntarily pushed her tongue out with every attempt to feed her. I felt lost and unsure of what to do. I could see the sadness in her family’s eyes. They were appreciative of everything we were doing, but I couldn’t help wishing I could do more, and do it better.
Palliative care wasn’t a topic covered during my university training. It wasn’t until later in my career, probably in my second year of nursing, that I came across tools like the AKPS and the “surprise question.” That experience opened my eyes to the specific nursing care and referral pathways involved in palliative care, and it sparked a passion to learn more and pursue this path.
“In the next two to three years, I see great opportunities for palliative care to grow and improve by better connecting the many wonderful resources and services that have emerged in recent years. Integrating innovations such as AI and VR technologies could help create more pleasant and supportive environments, particularly for patients with sensory impairments or memory loss.”
What do you think are the opportunities for Palliative Care in the next 2 – 3 years?
In the next two to three years, I see great opportunities for palliative care to grow and improve by better connecting the many wonderful resources and services that have emerged in recent years. Integrating innovations such as AI and VR technologies could help create more pleasant and supportive environments, particularly for patients with sensory impairments or memory loss.
Building death literacy earlier, for example, during hospital admissions for elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities and significant frailty, could help families and patients make more informed choices. Increasing public awareness through targeted campaigns and open discussions about palliative care would also help normalise these conversations.
Additionally, providing more education about aged care and palliative care in universities, along with strengthening incentives for those who work passionately in the field, could further enhance the quality and reach of care.
What do you think are the biggest challenges for the sector in the next 2 – 3 years?
Due to an ageing population and improvements in technology and funding for home services, aged care now receives patients at a much more advanced or complex stage of their life. As a result, having sufficient and appropriate resources to meet their needs can be challenging.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Palliative care is not just caring for the patient but their entire family.
Book, Podcast, TV Streaming or Movie – what would you pick when you have some down time and do you have a recommendation to share?
I would cuddle up with my two dogs on the couch and watch a heartwarming comedy TV series or movie that doesn’t require much thinking. Alternatively, I might take them for a walk to the park or by the water, or practice playing my classical instrument, the “Guzheng”.
Photo (L-R): Carolyn Bourke, Li Na Xu and Brendan Bourke at the 2024 Palliative Care NSW Conference dinner in Tamworth, NSW.
“I was invited to the PCNSW by my lovely mentor Carolyn (Bourke). It was lovely to be able to connect with so many compassionate people who are interested in palliative care and wanted to make a difference.”