Become A Hospice Nurse

Subscribe to Notes on Nursing, our monthly news digest. Subscribe Nursing Specialty Finder Hospice Nurse A Hospice Nurse takes care of terminally ill or injured patients at the end of their lives.

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High demand

Hospice Nurses are in demand due to the aging American population, and a growing desire for end-of-life care to be given outside of a hospital environment.

Required education ADN or BSN Average annual salary $50k–$83k

Source: PayScale, Aug 2018

Attributes Out of hospital Treat patients in their homes, during travel, or other non-hospital environments. Patient-facing Work hands-on, directly with patients. Structured A set routine will allow you to anticipate and expertly manage every situation. Varied Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day. You’ll help people live out their final days as comfortably and painlessly as possible. What you’ll do

Coordination

You may work with priests, ministers and other spiritual advisors of the patient.

Counsel

You’ll provide emotional support to the patient and family.

Treatment

You’ll help terminally ill patients manage their pain, organize supplies, and create treatment plans.

Where you’ll work

• Hospice care centers
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Patients’ homes

How to become a Hospice Nurse

01

Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

02

Pass the NCLEX-RN and work as a Registered Nurse.

03

Pass the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses exam through the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association.

04

You’re ready to work as a Hospice Nurse.

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