Hospice Nurse Career Overview

Hospice nurses provide care to patients with terminal conditions, typically in hospitals, residential care settings, or the patient’s home. This challenging career can prove very rewarding to nurses passionate about end-of-life care.

how long to become

2-4 years

job outlook

7% growth from 2019 to 2029 SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

median annual salary

$67,250 SOURCE: PayScale

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

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Certification Options: Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN); Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (ACHPN);
Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator (CHPCA); Certified Hospital and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (CHPPN)

Where Do Hospice Nurses Work?

Hospice nurses work in hospitals, residential care centers, and in patient homes.

Why Become a Hospice Nurse?

How To Become a Hospice Nurse

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 BSN takes four years. An MSN typically takes six years. Some nurses start with a BSN and later pursue an MSN degree.

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.

Gain required nursing experience

Typically, hospice nurses have two or three years experience in an acute care setting before starting hospice care.

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 $67,250. 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 7% between 2019 and 2029. 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.

Find State-Specific Salary Data Here

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources for Hospice Nurses

• Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association 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 Organization's 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.

Related Pages

Reviewed by:

Nicole Galan, RN, MSN
Nicole Galan, RN, MSN is a registered nurse who started in a general medical/surgical care unit and then moved to infertility care where she worked for almost 10 years. She has also worked for over 13 years as a freelance writer specializing in consumer health sites and educational materials for nursing students. Galan currently works as a full-time freelancer and recently earned her master’s degree in nursing education from Capella University.

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