Hospice Nurse Career Overview
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Hospice Nurse Career in Brief
Hospice nurses care for patients with terminal conditions, often focusing on keeping the patient as comfortable as possible and minimizing pain. They work under the supervision of physicians or advanced practice nurses and may supervise nursing assistants.
Key Tasks
- Administering medicine, particularly pain management medication
- Treating and dressing wound sites
- Monitoring vital signs
- Providing psychological and emotional support for patients and families
Career Traits
- Empathy
- Communication
- Emotional resilience
Where Do Hospice Nurses Work?
Hospice nurses work in hospitals, residential care centers, and in patient homes.
HospitalsProvide care to ease symptoms and keep the patient as physically comfortable as possible; collaborate with clinical and non-clinical staff; communicate with family
- Home Health
Administer medical treatment; meet patients’ needs; educate family caregivers
- Hospice Care Centers
Admit new patients; communicate with family; provide care; supervise nursing assistants
Why Become a Hospice Nurse?
Advantages To Becoming a Hospice Nurse
High demand- Hospice nurse jobs pay above-average compensation
- Emotionally fulfilling
- Generally predictable schedules
Disadvantages To Becoming a Hospice Nurse
Requires establishing relationships with patients with terminal conditions- Homecare requires reliable transportation
- Must maintain emotional equilibrium during contact with patients and families
How To Become a Hospice Nurse
- 1
Earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN), a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or a master of science in nursing (MSN)
An associate degree typically takes two years to complete while a . An MSN typically takes six years. Some nurses start with a BSN and later pursue an MSN degree.
- 2
Pass the NCLEX-RN to receive RN licensure
RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) to practice. This examination takes up to six hours and covers various aspects of medicine, nursing practice, and ethics/legal issues.
- 3
Gain required nursing experience
Typically, hospice nurses have two or three years experience in an acute care setting before starting hospice care.
- 4
Consider a certification offered by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center
Certification is not a legal requirement to practice as a hospice nurse but is valuable for finding a job or receiving a promotion. Multiple specialty certifications are available.
Certification Options for Hospice Nurses
How Much Do Hospice Nurses Make?
The average hospice nurse salary is $77,055. Nurses with a BSN degree make more than those with an ADN and advanced practice nurses and nurse practitioners earn more than BSN-holders.
RN jobs are projected to grow by 5% between 2024 and 2034. Hospice nurse jobs may likely grow faster, given the aging U.S. population and the growth of hospice care in general, especially in-home hospice care.
Resources for Hospice Nurses
The Hospice and Palliative Nurse Association offers education, certification, networking, and professional development resources to its members. It also engages in advocacy for hospice and palliative care as part of healthcare. Membership is open to RNs and nursing assistants.
American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine provides education, resources, and networking for physicians engaged in hospice and palliative care. However, membership is also open to hospice nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals in hospice or palliative care.National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organizations membership consists of hospice and palliative care providers, provider networks, and individual healthcare professionals. It provides resources for hospice and palliative care administration and also engages in advocacy to enhance access to holistic healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hospice Nurses
Hospice nurse jobs require a two-year ADN or a four-year BSN, and then typically 2-3 more years of experience as an acute care nurse, depending on certification type.
Reviewed by:
Elizabeth Clarke (Poon) is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who provides primary and urgent care to pediatric populations. She earned a BSN and MSN from the University of Miami.
Clarke is a paid member of our Healthcare Review Partner Network. Learn more about our review partners.
