Introduction. The interest in palliative care is explained, in large part, by the increase in chronic and advanced diseases, and with a limited life prognosis. In Spain, there is an increasing demand for specific training in palliative care (PC) for health science professionals. The European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) and the Spanish Association of Palliative Care Nursing (AECPAL) recommend that all nursing professionals receive basic training in PC in their university education. This training is of vital importance for the proper development of their work, especially in aspects related to death, mourning and PC. Objectives. To determine the lack of training and knowledge in palliative care in nursing and in nursing students and to determine whether undergraduate and postgraduate training in PC could improve nursing training in the units that provide this care. Methodology. A systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines has been carried out in the studies found in CUIDEN, PubMed and Web of Science, including a total of 10 studies. Results and conclusions. The results indicate the existence of a lack of knowledge and training in PC in nurses and nurse students, especially in psychosocial and spiritual aspects. Although, it has been observed that after completing postgraduate training in PC, there is an improvement in the training to perform the work in these services, an increase in knowledge in more relevant aspects and in communication with patients.