If you're a nurse, you've probably heard of hospice nursing. But if you're not, the term might seem like a little bit of a puzzle. So what is hospice nursing?
Hospice nursing is a type of specialized care, usually for people who have terminal illnesses. Hospice nurses work with patients and their families to help them cope with the challenges that come with dying, including pain management, emotional support, and other needs.
The goal of hospice nursing is to ensure that every moment leading up to death is as comfortable as possible for both patient and family.
Hospice nurses also have an essential role in palliative care—which is the practice of treating a patient's symptoms while trying to cure their disease or disease process—but there are critical differences between these two types of nursing practice that we'll cover below!
What Is Hospice Nursing?
Hospice nursing is a specialized field of nursing that supports terminally ill patients and their families. Hospice nurses work in hospitals, personal care homes, and other facilities. They also provide care to patients who are receiving palliative care at home.
The goal of hospice nursing is to help people live their last days with comfort, dignity, and as much quality of life as possible. Hospice nurses focus on pain management, symptom management, psychosocial support, and spiritual care.
Hospice nurses specialize in end-of-life care and palliative medicine. They help people understand why they are in pain, what they can do about it and how to manage symptoms like nausea or diarrhea while they wait for their subsequent treatment or surgery.
Where Do Hospice Nurses Work?
Hospice nurses work in a variety of settings, including:
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1. Hospitals
Hospice nurses are often employed by hospitals to care for patients who are nearing the end of life and may need special attention. For example, hospice nurses may provide care to patients who need help with their personal hygiene or have difficulty eating or drinking.
Hospice nurses also educate hospital staff about end-of-life care and how to support patients and their families during this difficult time.
2. Nursing Homes
Hospice nurses may be employed by nursing homes to provide care for residents with terminal illnesses or other severe health conditions which would otherwise require long-term skilled nursing facility (SNF) care.
In addition to providing medical and emotional support, hospice nurses teach staff members how best to meet residents' needs during this difficult time.
3. Home Health Agencies
Hospice nurses work directly with patients in their homes under the supervision of a physician or physician assistant (PA).
They typically provide nursing services such as monitoring vital signs, administering medication, and performing physical therapy exercises for patients with limited mobility due to advanced age or disability.
Hospice nurses also educate family members about caring for loved ones at home in order for them to continue living independently for as long as possible.
Pros And Cons of Hospice Nursing
Hospice nurses are trained in end-of-life care and provide comfort and support to patients who have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses. As with any job, though, there are pros and cons associated with working as a hospice nurse.
The following are some benefits associated with working as a hospice nurse:
Pros
1. Opportunities for Advancement
Hospice nurses often move up quickly because they are valuable to their employers. If you want to advance your career, working as a hospice nurse is a great way to do it!
You'll have plenty of opportunities for advancement and leadership roles within your company or organization. These roles often come with bigger salaries as well as more responsibility.
2. Great Work Environment
Working in hospice can be very rewarding because you're helping someone through their last days on Earth. Your patients will appreciate what you do for them, and this type of job often results in strong relationships between nurses and their patients' families as well as other healthcare providers
3. Improved Clinical Skills
As a hospice nurse, you'll learn how to manage pain medications, and communicate with doctors and families. You'll also learn how to handle emotional situations that can arise during the dying process.
This will help you develop the skills needed to become an excellent nurse at any hospital or caregiving facility.
Cons
1. Lack of Recognition
Many people do not realize just how much work goes into being a hospice nurse. This can make it difficult for these professionals to receive the recognition they deserve when they do something great or make an impactful decision during their time on the job.
2. Burnout
Burnout is common among hospice nurses because they have so many responsibilities that they need to juggle at once while also trying to provide the best possible care for their patients and families.
These caregivers need to take breaks throughout their shifts so that they can keep themselves mentally healthy enough to stay focused on what matters most: their patients.
What is the Salary Of Hospice Nurses?
According to BLS, Hospice nurses earn a median annual salary of $77,600. However, according to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of hospice nurses is $79,867, with the top salary of $111,000.
The Top Paying States For Hospice Nurses
Here's a look at some of the best-paying states for hospice nurses:
State | Annual Salary |
Atkinson, NE | $110,347 |
Bridgehampton, NY | $95,474 |
San Mateo, CA | $94,123 |
Boston, MA | $93,617 |
How To Become A Hospice Nurse?
If you're considering this career path, there are a few things to keep in mind before you start your search. Here are some tips on how you can become a hospice nurse:
Step 1: Get Your Degree
Hospice nurses must have a bachelor's degree in nursing or another appropriate field. Many programs offer a specific degree track in palliative care, which is the branch of medicine that deals specifically with end-of-life issues.
Step 2: Get Licensed
To become a hospice nurse, you'll need to be licensed by your state. In most cases, your license will be based on a combination of education and experience. The education requirements for a hospice nurse can vary from state to state.
Some states require a degree in nursing, while others accept an associate's or bachelor's degree in any field. A few states even allow you to earn your license without any formal education at all.
However, most hospice agencies will want their nurses to have at least an associate's degree in nursing (ADN) or more advanced degrees like bachelor's or master's degrees before they're hired.
Step 3: Gain 3 Years Of Experience
After you’ve completed your degree, you’ll need to gain some experience working with patients suffering from terminal illnesses. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about what it means to care for this population and how to work with them daily.
Step 4: Get Certified
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) offers a certification program, which is required in all states. Many facilities also need their nurses to complete an additional course or two, such as pain management, grief counseling, and hospice ethics.
To be eligible for certification, you must have a year or more of clinical experience and pass a test covering the core competencies of the hospice setting.
Once you're certified, you can renew your license every few years by completing continuing education courses and submitting continuing education credits to NHPCO.
What is the Career Outlook Of Hospice Nursing?
The job outlook for hospice nurses is good. The demand for hospice nurses is expected to grow due to the national nursing shortage in the United States.
New England Journal Of Medicine reported that for the first time in the 20th century, Americans have chosen to stay at home during their death period.
While as per the journal of Hospice News, more than half of the patients were in hospice when they died in 2018.
Critical Differences Between Hospice And Palliative Nursing
Hospice and palliative care are two complementary approaches to end-of-life care. Both focus on providing support for patients and family members who are facing severe illnesses, but they differ in many ways.
Hospice is a specific type of care that focuses on addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people with terminal illnesses. It is most often used when curative treatment is no longer possible, and death is expected within six months.
Hospice may be provided at home or in a facility. Palliative care is any form of medical support that improves the quality of life for patients with life-limiting conditions by reducing pain and other symptoms, as well as stressors such as anxiety or depression.
Palliative care is given before death, during treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses, as well as after treatment ends.
Conclusion
The world of hospice nursing is a fascinating one, and we hope this post has given you a clearer sense of what it's like to work as a hospice nurse.
We also hope that this post has helped you understand the key differences between hospice nursing and palliative nursing, so if you're considering either field of work or even just curious about what might be involved, then we hope it's been helpful!
If you want to learn more about other options in nursing careers or if you're looking for advice on how to get into the industry yourself, check out our blog for more helpful posts about different types of nurses and how to become one yourself.
If there's something else about hospice or palliative nursing that needs clarifying, feel free to leave us a comment below!
FAQs
How long does it take to become a hospice nurse?
It takes a long time to become a hospice nurse. Just kidding!
Seriously, though, the answer is "it depends." The average length of training for an RN in hospice nursing is about two years. But if you're already an RN, it could take less time—and if you're not, it could take longer.
The other thing that can affect how long it takes to become a hospice nurse is whether or not your state requires additional training. If they do, make sure you budget accordingly!
How to be a great hospice nurse?
Have you ever wondered how to be a great hospice nurse? Well, I have the answer!
It's simple: you just have to love your job. If you don't love what you do, why are you doing it? You have to be passionate about what you do and love helping people. The patients will notice and appreciate that passion, which is an excellent way to build trust with them.
You also need to be compassionate towards your patients. Hospice nursing is all about caring for people in their time of need, so make sure that compassion comes through when speaking with them or helping them out in any way possible.
If they feel like they can trust you as well as feel loved by someone who knows what they're going through—even if it's just for a moment—then that makes all the difference in their lives during this challenging time period!
Can a hospice nurse pronounce death?
Yes, a hospice nurse can pronounce death. A hospice nurse is trained to be aware of all the signs and symptoms that indicate death, and they will also have access to the necessary equipment to confirm death.
Are hospice nurses in demand?
Yes, hospice nurses are in demand.
It's not just the fact that there are more people dying than ever before—there's also a greater need for hospice nurses as the population ages. As baby boomers retire, they have greater access to healthcare and more time on their hands to spend with medical professionals like nurse practitioners and nurses.
Plus, many people who require hospice care have other medical issues that require constant attention and care, such as diabetes or heart disease. The staff at hospices work tirelessly to keep patients comfortable and safe while they receive treatment for these conditions.
