Hospice Nurse

How Is Hospice Nursing Described?

Hospice nurses are health care professionals that provide care to people who are nearing the end of life. Many people use the phrase “hospice nurse” to refer to a variety of distinct occupations. When people refer to themselves as hospice nurses, they are most likely working as one of the following types of nurses: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants (CHPNA) or Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurses (CHPRN) (CHPLN). Rather than attempting to cure or treat a patient, hospice nurses typically work with terminally ill patients to guarantee their comfort and quality of life throughout their remaining days. Their major role is to assist people in living as pleasantly and independently as possible throughout their final days.

How to Become a Hospice Nurse

One of the primary responsibilities of a Hospice Nurse is to assist patients and their families in becoming more comfortable with death and to provide them with the emotional support they require. Additionally, hospice nurses will support family members in managing any practical aspects of caring for a dying loved one.

What Educational Requirements Are There for Hospice Nurses?

The following information is for Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants (CHPNAs):

  • CHPNAs must possess a high school diploma or the equivalent.
  • Must have at least 500 hours of hospice and palliative nursing assistant experience during the last 12 months, or 1,000 hours within the last 24 months, all under the supervision of a licensed nurse in the United States.

The following information is for Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurses (CHPLNs):

  • Individuals must have graduated from a college or university with a BSN, ADN, or have completed a state-approved vocational nursing school.
  • Must be a licensed RN or LVN in the state of residence at the time of application.
  • Should have at least two years of experience in a comparable field.
    For hospice and palliative nurses who are certified (CHPNs):
  • Individuals must have graduated from a college or university with a BSN or ADN.
  • Must be a licensed RN in the state of residence at the time of application.
  • Should have at least two years of experience working in a relevant care setting

The following information is for Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (ACHPNs):

  • Will possess a master’s or doctoral degree in advanced practice nursing from an authorized university, with clinical and didactic components.
  • Must currently hold an active, unrestricted registered nurse license in the United States.
  • Before applying to take the ACHPN Examination, you must be a practicing Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) with a t least 500 hours of hospice and palliative nursing practice in the last 12 months or 1,000 hours in the last 24 months.

Is it necessary to obtain any certifications or credentials?

Certified Nursing Assistants in Hospice and Palliative Care (CHPNAs)

  • To receive the credential, candidates must pass the standardized HPCC CHPNA® Examination.
  • Certification is valid for four years; to maintain certification, the individual must retake and pass the recertification examination and maintain current knowledge in the profession through continuing education courses.

Licensed Hospice and Palliative Nurses (CHPLNs)

Must pass a standardized examination HPCC CHPLN Examination Certification is valid for four years; renewal is granted to people who successfully complete the recertification examination and maintain current knowledge of industry developments through continuing education courses.

CHPNs: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses

Must pass a standardized examination HPCC CHPN Examination Certification is valid for four years; recertification is awarded either through the successful completion of a recertification exam or through the submission of approval for continuing education and other approved activities.

Nurses with advanced certification in hospice and palliative care (ACHPNs)

Must pass the ACHPN examination on a standardized basis.
Candidates who successfully complete the ACHPN test are awarded the ACHPN certificate.

What Types of Jobs Do Hospice Nurses Have?

Hospice patients are often anticipated to live six months or less. This is why the majority of hospice care is provided at the patient’s home. Hospice nurses will perform the following duties:

  • At the patient’s or family’s residence
  • At a hospice facility
  • During a stay in a skilled care facility
  • In a nursing home for the elderly
  • In a medical facility

What Is the Role of a Hospice Nurse?

Hospice care enables terminally ill individuals to die in their own homes rather than in a hospital setting. A hospice nurse’s primary responsibility is to provide emotional support to their patients in order to help them remain as independent and comfortable as possible near the end of their lives. Hospice nurses are frequently asked to maintain contact with family members, physicians, priests, and other spiritual advisors. Hospice nurses must be adept at negotiating crisis circumstances. Hospice nurses are typically members of a larger multidisciplinary health care team that provides nursing care to clients and their families. The role of a hospice nurse is determined by the qualification they carry (i.e. CHPNA, CHPLN, or CHPN).

What Are the Responsibilities and Responsibilities of a Hospice Nurse?

Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (CHPNs) are regarded the senior nursing professional on the hospice team due to their RN status. CHPNs are in charge of educating, supervising, and directing other nursing staff. On the other hand, Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants (CHPNAs) and Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurses (CHPLNs) are responsible for providing round-the-clock nursing care. CHPNAs and CHPLNs are responsible for day-to-day nursing activities such as controlling a patient’s pain symptoms and degree of comfort. Additionally, they are accountable for the patient’s hygiene and ensuring that they take their prescribed prescription on time.

Both CHPNAs and CHPLNs must maintain contact with the CHPNs and Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses assigned to the case. Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (ACHPNs) work on the outskirts of the hospice team but play a critical role in assessing the patient’s overall health and prescribing the most effective medication.

Hospice Nurse Compensation and Employment

Hospice nurses that are registered nurses with advanced degrees nearly always earn more than their non-advanced degreed nursing peers.

Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants (CHPNAs) and Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurses (CHPLNs) earn an average hourly rate of $11.35 to $17.53 per hour, or $58,000 per year, according to salary.guide. Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (CHPNs) earn an annual income ranging from $49,831 on the low end to $82,023 on the high end. Finally, Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurses (ACHPNs) earn an average yearly salary of $96,126.