Hospice Nurse Career

RESPONSIBILITIES

What Does a Hospice Nurse Do?

Hospice patients require care as they are finishing their life, and it’s vital for all hospice nurses to be qualified and prepared to help them. Some of their responsibilities include:

Monitoring and documenting patient vital signs: An important part of hospice care is regularly checking the health of a patient. This may be done daily or multiple times a day, depending on needs. A hospice RN will check vital signs, record any medical concerns a patient has, and understand what these symptoms mean for the patient. Nurses may also assist with basic personal care and monitor wounds, skin conditions, and other physical changes.

Administering medications: Whether medications involves injections, pills, or IVs, hospice RNs are responsible for knowing when patients need their medicine, how much they need, and how to administer it properly.

Managing symptoms and pain: A large part of hospice nursing is helping patients feel comfortable as they near the end of their lives. These patients often aren’t receiving treatment intended to cure their terminal illness. Instead, pain management options are used to help maintain comfort and quality of life. 

Helping during crisis situations: End-of-life care can involve crisis situations as a patient’s condition changes. A hospice RN helps the patient, family members, and caregivers understand what is happening and follows the patient’s established plan of care and preferences.

Psychosocial support: Hospice care can be complicated for patients and families. Mental, emotional, and social support is key during this time. Often, hospice nurses become close to their patients and their families during this extremely difficult time. It’s important for the RNs to be professional while still offering emotional support to their patient and family.

Educating family caregivers: A large responsibility is keeping the patient and their family educated about what will or may happen. Hospice nurses can educate family members about the patient’s condition and medications, demonstrate ways to provide comfort, and help families know when they should contact the hospice team.

Coordinating care: Hospice nurses typically work as part of an interdisciplinary team that may include physicians, social workers, aides, counselors, and other professionals. Nurses provide updates about a patient’s condition and help coordinate services based on the patient’s care plan.

Supporting end-of-life procedures: Depending on state law, employer policy, and the nurse’s scope of practice, hospice nurses may also have responsibilities after a patient dies, including documenting the death, supporting family members, and completing required procedures.

Where Do Hospice Nurses Work?

One unique part of a hospice nurse career is that you may provide care outside a traditional hospital environment. Hospice nurses can work in:

• Patients’ private homes
• Inpatient hospice facilities
• Hospitals and hospital-based hospice units
• Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
• Assisted living facilities
• Hospice agencies that assign nurses to patients in the community

The work environment can affect your schedule and day-to-day responsibilities. For example, a home hospice care nurse may travel between several patients during a shift, while a nurse working in an inpatient facility may remain at one location.