Hospice Nurse Career Overview

Nurses work in medical facilities of all kinds nationwide, providing invaluable support to patients and their families as they navigate health care challenges. Hospice nurses, in particular, offer care that can be absolutely instrumental in improving patients’ quality of life and granting them dignity in their final days.

Working in a role that is both challenging and fulfilling, hospice nurses help to ensure patients are treated with compassion and patience while managing serious illnesses. With a well-rounded education, such as a registered nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, graduates have the knowledge and skills they need to make a positive difference in the lives of terminal patients.

What Is a Hospice Nurse?

Hospice nurses specialize in providing treatments and support to patients who require end-of-life care. Patients in hospice care are those with an illness or diagnosis that involves a life expectancy of approximately six months or less. These diagnoses can include patients of all ages and are not confined to a specific illness or type of disease.

While many patients may also require the care of specialists such as oncologists and others, hospice nurses focus on ensuring that patients have the support they need throughout the course of their treatment. Working in facilities such as pediatric clinics, senior care homes, hospitals, and government agencies like Veterans Administration hospitals, hospice nurses care for underserved communities and those most in need of support.

What Does a Hospice Nurse Do?

Nurses entering the field can choose to focus on a variety of specialties. Whether they choose a specialty based on the demographic group of patients, a specific illness, or the type of care they would like to provide, nurses face different challenges. Hospice nurses treat patients who have a life-threatening diagnosis, often focusing on palliative treatments and providing quality care to keep patients as comfortable as possible in their final days. This can include duties such as:

Administering medication
Assessing patients’ condition or level of pain to make treatment plans
Keeping patient medical records up to date
Communicating with and educating patients and their families
Consulting with doctors and other medical professionals to assess patients’ needs
Performing basic patient care such as hygiene or minor procedures
Providing physical and emotional support to patients and their families

While end-of-life care can be challenging, hospice nurses have the opportunity to ensure that patients are treated with kindness and dignity in their final days. Hospice nurses also play a crucial role in educating patients’ families on the care and procedures required to improve the quality of life for their loved ones.

How to Become a Hospice Nurse

Future nursing leaders can take different paths when pursuing a career as a hospice nurse. Students begin with either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a BSN before taking the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam to begin practicing as a registered nurse. Typically, an ADN requires two years of full-time study, while a BSN is normally a four-year commitment.

While an ADN allows graduates to begin working sooner, many students complete a BSN, as it is the prerequisite for advanced degrees and can lead to leadership roles. For nurses with an ADN who would like to further their careers, RN to BSN nursing programs can bridge the gap and prepare students for an advanced education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or specialized certifications within their chosen field.

After completing their RN training, many nurses enter the workforce to begin gaining hands-on nursing experience. This real-world introduction to nursing can help graduates decide what area of nursing they are passionate about. It can also help them choose whether they would like to specialize, what type of facility they would like to work in, and if they would like to invest in an advanced nursing degree.

Hospice Nurse Education and Experience

Working within a hospice care facility does not always require specific certification aside from Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) training. In many cases, however, nurses complete specialized hospice care training and pursue credentials like Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) from the American Board of Family Medicine or Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (CHPPN) from the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center.

These certifications demonstrate to employers that nurses have met certain benchmarks and are able to perform to a set standard. Graduates interested in senior roles in hospice nursing can also complete an advanced degree and pursue nurse practitioner (NP) certification with a specialization as an Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN), opening doors to career opportunities in management or leadership.

Hospice Nurse Salary and Career Outlook

Skilled hospice nurses are in high demand across the country. Depending on their level of education, workplace experience, and the type of facility they would like to work in, nursing graduates can find opportunities nationwide. While location can influence a hospice nurse’s salary (for example, an RN’s salary in North Carolina can vary between urban and rural facilities), the median annual pay for hospice nurses was approximately $74,600 as of January 2024, according to Payscale.

As more Americans reach retirement age, the demand for hospice nurses is expected to rise as well. According to the Population Reference Bureau, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to increase by 47% between 2020 and 2050, reaching 82 million and making up 23% of the population. When combined with studies released by Grand View Research reporting that the hospice market size was estimated at 37.9 billion and rising as of 2023, there is likely to be ample opportunity for hospice nurses.

Pursue a Fulfilling Career as a Hospice Nurse

A career as a hospice nurse can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly fulfilling to support patients in their end-of-life journey. Providing valuable guidance and care to patients as they navigate difficult decisions, hospice nurses play an essential role in health care facilities across the country.

By pursuing a well-rounded education like the online Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program from North Carolina Central University, future graduates can gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed as hospice nurses. An online program crafted with the needs of the modern nurse in mind, the NCCU Online RN to BSN program helps students hone their professional skills to take on leadership roles in nursing.

Learn how you can make a positive difference in hospice nursing.

Recommended Readings

Why Bilingual Nurses Are Essential

Your Guide to a North Carolina Nursing License

Explore a Career as an Occupational Health Nurse

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet

American Board of Family Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Grand View Research, U.S. Hospice Market Size & Trends

Indeed, “How to Become a Hospice Nurse (Plus Salary and Requirements)”

Indeed, “What Does a Hospice Nurse Do? (Plus Skills and Salary)”

National Institute on Aging, What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care?