Demonstrating compassionate, quality care to those facing terminal or chronic illnesses is the responsibility and privilege of palliative care nurses. Tasked with improving and extending the quality and duration of life for patients, palliative care nurses play a critical role in ensuring that patients and their families are taken care of during the end-of-life stages.
With a focus on the patient-centered care model and an emphasis on ensuring a strong command of the foundations and fundamentals of nursing practice, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Providence is a strong start in the pathway to becoming a palliative care nurse.
Continue reading to learn more about the palliative care nursing path.
What is Palliative Care Nursing?
A palliative care nurse is a licensed registered nurse (RN) who provides specialized care to chronic and terminally ill patients by improving quality and duration of life through curative measures.
What does a Palliative Care Nurse do?
A palliative care RN provides a wide array of care services and supports to chronic and terminally ill patients. In addition to providing foundational RN services such as wound care, medication and pain management, mental and physical health assessments and care coordination among providers, they also administer specialized palliative care in the form of advanced and specialized pain management, emotional supports, and advocating for patient needs.
Common palliative care nursing responsibilities
- Pain management and patient comfort
- General and specialized health assessments
- Care coordination and delivery among specialist and providers
- Emotional support for patients and their families
- Care information management and dissemination to family and loved ones
- Administering, managing and tracking curative care approaches
- Deliver, dispense and manage patient medications
- Provide wound or trauma care as needed
Where do Palliative Care Nurses work?
Palliative care RNs can find themselves working in a variety of healthcare settings, specifically those that deliver palliative care services and supports to patients and their families. While the common job locations for palliative care nurses include hospitals, extended care facilities and hospice care centers. They can also be found in some non-traditional or alternative care settings:
- Home healthcare services
- Specialized palliative care centers
- Nursing or assisted living facilities
- Specialized care facilities
- Clinics
How to Become a Palliative Care Nurse
Those aspiring to become a palliative care nurse must first complete nursing school, test for and secure licensure through the National Counsel Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) and gain experience in the nursing field. While palliative care RNs can enter the field with as little as an Associate Degree in Nursing, many organizations are requiring students earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing – which provides a more advanced understanding and application of nursing practice.
Nurses who wish to pursue palliative care nursing can also consider one of many certifications available in palliative care. While licensure is optional, it can provide a boost for nurses seeking additional credentialling or skillsets. When considering a certificate, it is important to review requirements for specific positions and consider the impact additional certification can have.
- Earn a High School Diploma or GED
- Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Test for and receive licensure through the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)
- Gain experience as a palliative care registered nurse through entry-level positions
- Receive optional certification as a palliative care nurse
Palliative Care Nursing Career Outlook
Palliative care nurses are part of the registered nursing community, one of the largest and fastest growing segments of the healthcare industry accounting for over 3 million jobs nationwide. Those who pursue a career as a palliative care RN can go on to pursue advanced practice nursing opportunities in palliative care or adjacent roles in clinical or administrative palliative care. Palliative care RNs can expect to see an increase in demand as the U.S. population continues to age, and overall salary and pay scales to also increase due to their specialized roles in nursing.
Whether considering a career change or interested in entering the nursing field out of high school, becoming a palliative care nurse can provide a strong roadmap for motivated professionals seeking to make a difference in the healthcare field and the lives of patients. Find out how a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Providence can provide the tools to succeed.
