With the increasing number of cancer patients, the aging population, the shortage of medical resources and other problems in China, the demand for palliative care is gradually increasing. However, nursing staff are the main implementors of palliative care, and their cognitive level of palliative care is closely related to the quality of palliative care service and the outcome of patients. By summarizing assessment tools of palliative care knowledge, attitudes and skills, this review aims to provide a reference for developing appropriate palliative care assessment tools for nursing staff in China.