The purpose of this study was to describe the opinions of a group of Polish nursing students in 4‐year university programmes on the aims of palliative care. A questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. Findings show that the students (n = 72) view palliative care as an area of nursing practice requiring a complex range of professional and non‐professional skills, attitudes and predispositions. Findings also indicate the critical opinion of the students about the content of academic courses offered by Polish nursing schools and departments with respect to palliative c