Registered nurses (RNs) who are interested in exploring additional nursing opportunities should consider the rewarding path of hospice nursing. Entrusted with the delicate responsibility of providing compassionate and comprehensive end-of-life care to those at the end of their lives, hospice RNs not only administer medical treatments but also offer emotional and spiritual support, ensuring patients and their families navigate the final stages of life with dignity and comfort.
Graduates of the University of Providence’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program are well-suited to deliver care as hospice nurses and beyond, thanks to an emphasis on the foundations of nursing, compassionate care, and the patient-centered care model.
What is a Hospice Nurse?
Hospice nurses are certified RNs who provide end-of-life care to patients with severe illness or injury. These nurses typically work with patients in the last six months of their lives.
What does a Hospice Nurse do?
The roles and responsibilities of hospice RNs are similar regardless of where they work. Since hospice nurses work exclusively with patients in the final stages of terminal illness or injury, their core responsibilities include all the responsibilities of a traditional RNs with an emphasis on ensuring patients are comfortable in their final stage of life. Hospice nursers must maintain the utmost professionalism, compassion, and care for patients and their families during all interactions.
While hospice a palliative care nursing is often considered to be one in the same, hospice RNs are distinct from palliative care nurses because they provide care to patients in the final states of life whereas palliative care RNs provide care throughout illness to improve quality of life.
Common hospice care responsibilities include:
- Conducting patient assessments
- Administering and manager patient medication and treatments
- Providing various preventative care and crisis care measures
- Advocating for patient and family needs
- Provide emotional, spiritual and psychological support to patients and their families
Common hospice nurse character traits include:
- Empathy
- Compassion
- Resilience
- Cultural and spiritual consciousness
- Communication
- Confidence and conviction
Where do Hospice Nurses work?
Hospice RNs work in various healthcare settings. They are primarily found in hospitals, specialized nursing care centers, hospice care centers, home health services for in-home hospice care, and in some nursing or extended care facilities. Regardless of where hospice nurses work, they operate as part of a larger team which includes a variety of supports for the patient and their families.
How to Become a Hospice Nurse?
The path to becoming a hospice nurse includes a traditional nursing education and certification path. Following entry into the field, RNs can pursue experience in hospice nursing at an entry level while pursuing one of many certifications available in hospice nursing care.
- 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 hospice RNs through entry-level positions
- Receive optional certification as a hospice nurse
Hospice Nurse Career Outlook
Although hospice nurses are part of the RN community, they are part of a march larger hospice care team that includes various clinical and administrative healthcare professionals dedicated to ensuing patients receive a quality, compassionate and dignified care in their end-of-life stages. The demand for hospice RN is not expected to decrease over the years.
Demand for hospice care RNs can be tracked similar to RNs, who are projected to see a growth in their demand across healthcare organizations over the next ten years.
Whether you’re considering a career change or interested in entering the nursing field out of high school, becoming a hospice 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 in the hospice care RN profession and beyond.
