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0-5 years of experience
Provided compassionate care for critically ill patients and worked closely with families during the final stages of life
- Maintained comfort and quality of life, and alerted physicians about changes in patients’ condition
- Provided continuous and precise assessment of patients pain and comfort levels
- Communicated all pertinent information and evaluations through clear and concise documentation
0-5 years of experience
Worked in collaboration with other House Supervisors in the management of daily unit operations
- Staffing, personnel management, environmental monitoring, discharge planning, performance improvement, risk management, short term problem solving and assumed accountability for the nursing unit during the absence of the Nurse Manager.
- Ensured compliance with required reports, documents, records, and files on a daily basis
- Provided patient care rehabilitation to Traumatic Brain Injury patients
- Attended Team Conferences with the Physical Therapy, Case Manager, Neurologist, Wound Care and Worker’s Comp Case managers for updates on patient’s condition.
- Worked closely with Neurology Physician Assistant in the management of Neuropharm for TBI patients from 18 years of age on up Assisted Floor Nurse with the management of Respiratory/Trach Care, Peg Tube care, IV starts, etc.
- Trained new hires in bed side procedures, handling emergency patients, and transferring to the appropriate level of care
- Provided care to terminally ill patients in crisis in hospice inpatient unit; Educated and supported caregivers
0-5 years of experience
Provided palliative/end of life care to patients in their homes, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities
- Managed physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and families as they journeyed through end of life issues
- Communicated daily with interdisciplinary team including physicians, social worker, chaplain, nursing assistants, volunteer coordinator, and other hospice nurses
- Developed and implemented individualized plan of care via computerized documentation
- Utilized critical thinking, communication, time management, and problem solving skills
0-5 years of experience
Effectively assessed the needs of the hospice patient and family in regards to physical, spiritual and psychological dimensions of care
- Monitored and documented significant changes in the condition of the patient
- Provided in home patient care including, but not limited to, activities of daily living, patient hygiene and pain control
- Empathic, coherent communication with patient and family
0-5 years of experience
Initial and ongoing assessment of each patient’s physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs in an hospital
setting.
- Educated patients and families on end of life care.
- Managed and administered IV drips, ventilators, etc
- Attended daily patient rounds, shared professional knowledge, and make appropriate recommendations regarding clinical and programmatic needs of patients
10+ years of experience
Clients and prescribers to coordinate timely retrieval of required documentation to facilitate dispensing of medications.
- Provided assistance with PBM billing for after hours support. Assisted as an IPU Technician.
- Coordinate First Dose Response.
- Communicate prescription needs and issues related to dispensing a CII medication(s) to hospice(s) and prescriber(s). Assisted Pharmacist with on call Support in every area needed
- Provided quality assistance to Pharmacist in Daily Pharmacy Operations.
- Input Prescriptions information, Supervised Technicians,
- Verify and process third party insurance information.
- Maintained and managed Pharmacy inventory.
- Trained Technicians and Pharmacy Cashiers.
0-5 years of experience
Provided in-home hospice care to those who qualified.
- Coordinated care between health providers, patient, family members, and ancillary services.
- Implemented or revised patient care plans reflecting changes in patients’ condition.
- Educated family members on the uses, effects, and side effects of medications.
0-5 years of experience
Cared for terminally ill patients in the home setting.
- Assessed for changes in patients and monitored their progression toward death.
- Ordered and administer medications per Doctors orders.
- Drafted medical reports and delivered information to interdisciplinary team
- Comfort grieving family members
- Respond to emergency situations
0-5 years of experience
Employed within two distinct hospice agencies involving multiple hospice settings (home care, assisted living, independent living, long term care, highly skilled in-patient hospice care unit)
- Primary care nurse responsible for the ongoing nursing assessment and implementation of individualized care plan for persons receiving hospice care.
- Collaborated with Medical Doctor to provide expertise in pain management and comfort control measures inherent to the management of symptoms associated with disease progression.
- Provided physical, emotional, spiritual encouragement and support to patient and their support system through on going education, personal care assistance, active listening, validation of feelings and hospice presence.
- Collaborated weekly and as needed with interdisciplinary team comprised of physician, social worker, spiritual care coordinator, music and art therapist, personal care assistant, volunteers and family members.
0-5 years of experience
Responsible for providing patient care and the delivery of quality comfort care to patients and their families after regular work hours
- Develops a detailed Plan of Care for each assigned patient in conjunction with IDT, patient, and family
- Reports to the attending physician, hospice medical director, and core team members any significant changes in the patient’s condition and requests change of orders as needed
- Responsible for pain and symptom control of each patient visited
0-5 years of experience
Case load ranged from 10-18 patients in both private homes and facilities
- Admission and orientation of patient/family/caregiver to hospice
- Planned weekly nursing visits according to patient acuity and status
- Completed nursing visit reports/charting and monthly physician reports
- Checked vital signs, medications, wound care, and conducted patient/family
- Reviewed for medication/plan of care changes and notifications to primary
- Attended interdisciplinary group meetings and care conferences
- Conducted follow up bereavement calls to families and/or caregivers
0-5 years of experience
Help patient use the toilet, and feed and groom themselves, depending on their physical and mental health.
- Assisted with bathing and getting dressed, taking medication as prescribed.
- Prepared meals for the patient light cleaning, washing linens and laundering of patients clothes.
- Take the patient on doctor appointments and to attend special events.
0-5 years of experience
Work in collaboration with other health care providers within the context of an interdisciplinary team to anticipate and meet the needs of the patient and family facing terminal illness.
- Provides expert management of pain and other symptoms combined with compassionate listening and counseling skills to promote the highest quality of life for the patient and family.
- Collaborates in a cultural assessment of the patient and family to achieve an understanding of specific end-of-life issues from their perspectives and provide culturally sensitive care.
- Provides hospice and palliative care in private homes, residential care facilities, nursing centers and other hospice care environments.
- Responsible for following up on routine care, such as wound care.
0-5 years of experience
Implemented critical-thinking skills when assessing multiple patients’ situations, as well as detecting changes in symptoms, and treating pain with proper medications.
- Displayed compassion and sympathy to a patient’s needs, and dealt with people in various states of pain, trauma and tragedy.
- Displayed crucial attention to detail when monitoring vital signs and subtle changes in a patient’s health status.
- Exhibited organizational skills and proper prioritization capabilities.
- Calm under pressure when facing emergency situations; ability to function harmoniously in the heat of an emergency.
- Ability to comfort patients who were scared, in pain or still coming to terms with their death.
- Exhibited compassionate communication with patients and their families.
- Demonstrated keen observation skills, high ethical standards and knowledge of when to alert doctors and others about changes in patient conditions.
0-5 years of experience
Work to maintain comfort and quality of life for those diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- Provide nursing assessments.
- Respond to emergency situations as needed.
- Provide supportive care and appropriate services in accordance with attending physician’s orders.
- Assume primary responsibility for a patient/family caseload that includes the assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating phases of the nursing process.
- Maintain up-to-date patient records so that problems, plans, actions and goals are accurately and clearly stated and changes are reflected as they occur.
- Instruct primary caregivers etc., to provide care as indicated.
0-5 years of experience
Followed the care plane to insure the best quality of care for clients and their loved ones
- Cover call shifts and weekends to support my team and provide the smoothest transition possible for our terminally ill clients
- Teach caregivers diseases process, medication therapy, foley care, pressure relief measures, wound care hospice, philosophy and dying process
- Maintain HIPPA compliance
0-5 years of experience
Provide holistic nursing care for both home health and hospice patients in a variety settings including: Patient Homes, Adult Family Homes, and Skilled nursing Facilities.
- Conduct patient and family education regarding the end of life process.
- Educate and manage patients and families regarding both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical approaches to pain management.
- Act as liaison between the physician, patient, and family.
- Assure regulatory compliance including maintaining hospice and home health Medicare guidelines.
- Work on call during after hours to meet patient and families needs.
0-5 years of experience
Provide holistic end-of life, bedside nursing care for the patients in the home/nursing home
- Clinical duties: use the nursing process to coordinate plan of care, obtain vital signs, medication administration, wound assessment/care, tube feedings, Foley catheter care
- Educate patient/family about disease process, symptom and pain management
- Participate in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings with medical director/team members
- Excellent documentation/written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, well organized
- On-call responsibilities
0-5 years of experience
Administration and documentation of medications
- Completed the Hospice admission process
- Provided comfort, support, and information to patient and family members as required
- Provided nursing care to Hospice patient as required. Care is provided utilizing standards of practice within scope of practice
- Complied and adhered to Agency policies and procedures.
- Maintained patient/family confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations
- Worked cooperatively with all involved healthcare agencies to coordinate Hospice services for patient to insure continuity of care
- Maintained arrangements for supplies, equipment, and other needs as required
6-10 years of experience
Provided care, education and support for terminally ill pediatric patients and their families.
- Nurse liaison for patient /family and medical staff
- Efficient in computer charting
- Responsible for staff scheduling for weekly client visits
- Rotational primary on call nurse responsible for patient care during off hours
- Proficient in starting IV’s and drawing labs for pediatric patients
- Administered medication and narcotics through Oral, IM, IV, per G-tube and sublingual
- Was responsible for time of death and post-mortem care and transportation arrangements
0-5 years of experience
Manage a caseload of hospice patients to ensure the highest quality of acute inpatient care and clinical services, concentrating in pain and symptom management. Promote continuity and cost effectiveness of care plans through the implementation of case management, utilization review and discharge planning functions.
- Provide comprehensive assessment, planning, implementation and overall evaluation of patient care plans in collaboration with the director, hospital staff and hospice team members.
- Develop patient care plans, provide physical assessments and pain management, and perform nursing interventions; educate caregivers and family members in hospice care and end-of-life symptoms.
- Liaison between physicians, hospice medical director and all members of the hospice interdisciplinary team; assist in coordinating and facilitating IDTs (meetings with physicians, residents, case managers and families).
- Serve as a resource to physicians, patient care staff and hospital teams concerning pain management, hospice services and palliative care; maintain knowledge via hospice and quality improvement activities.
- Maintain documentation in compliance with regulatory requirements, along with referral statistics; accurately record meetings and discussions in the patients’ EMR; close records of discharged cases.
- Coordinate transfers to IPU and ensure efficient transitions to hospice inpatient units and other settings.
0-5 years of experience
Administered palliative care procedures to maximize comfort and quality of life
- Provided emotional support to terminally ill patients and their families
- Specialized in delivering IV pain management with adjunctive therapies to the hospice setting
- Worked closely with physicians social workers, chaplains, and other supporting team members to provide high quality continuity of care; team approach
0-5 years of experience
Independent nursing duties as hospice nurse
- Provide caring & therapeutic environment for patients and families
- Responsible for keeping records of the patients’ reports and data.
- Identify and respond to the needs of patients and families
- Provide counseling and teaching.
- Provide emotional support to the patients and family members
0-5 years of experience
Provide direct care to end of life patients
- Provide support to patients and their families
- Assist patients with their ADL’s
- Vital signs and ongoing care; diabetes, oxygen therapy, wound care, suctioning, are some examples as needed per patient
- Pronouncement of death and end of life care
- Diagnosis and disease process education
- Closely work with MD, team, patients and family members to meet patients needs and goals
0-5 years of experience
Establishes and documents appropriate diagnosis, treatment plan and strategy of care based on the individual assessment, provides expert guidance and education when working with clients, families and other members of the hospice team.
- Performs and documents face to face encounters on patients approaching the 3rd and subsequent benefit periods per agency protocol. Provides the Medical Director with a copy of clinical findings from each face to face encounter.
- Concentrate on the patient’s needs, priorities of care, the need for collaborations when appropriate, method by which treatment will be evaluated and the plan of action.
- Completes, maintains and submits accurate and relevant clinical notes regarding patient’s condition and care given or prescribed.
6-10 years of experience
Maintain a caseload of 5 patients daily
- Educate families about the dying process. Including but not limited to wound care, medication, and grief
- Consult with physicians concerning the care and concerns of patients
- Teach patients about symptom management, disease process, and proper medication administration
- Assisted family in coping with a terminally ill patient
0-5 years of experience
Provide direct bedside care including medication administration
- Efficiently assess hospice patient physical, spiritual, and psychological level of care
- Teach families and other primary care persons appropriate care techniques
- Evaluate effectiveness of treatment based on interdisciplinary plan of care
- Maintain accurate clinical notes on interdisciplinary charts
6-10 years of experience
Management of acute and chronic disease process in a hospice patient
- Collaborate with physicians and the hospice team
- Administer treatments and interventions appropriate for hospice care
- Patient and family education on comfort measures, medications, and end of life care
- Pronouncement of patient death
0-5 years of experience
Responsibilities included: Obtaining vital signs and monitoring patient’s status
- Providing end of life care to patient
- Providing end of life education to family members
- Administering end of life medications
- Complete bed side nursing care
- Obtaining orders from physicians for medications
- Notifying physician and coroner as needed at time of death
- Support for patient and family
0-5 years of experience
Provide nursing care, to include physical and psychological care, in accordance with established policies and procedures of Seasons Hospice and consult with the RN -Patient Care Coordinator (PCC) regarding any changes in the care plan.
- Recognize and interpret symptoms and institute remedial measures within the scope/limits of a Licensed Practical Nurse and report significant changes in the patient condition to the PCC immediately.
- Administer medication and treatments as ordered by the physician, with the exception of IV push medication and intraspinal analgesia.
- Reinforce appropriate interventions, medications, effects and side effects to patient, caregiver, volunteers and other as appropriate as directed by the RN-PCC.
- Implement care to achieve outcomes of comfortable and safe dying, self-determined life closure and effective grieving for patient and family.
- Responsible for maintenance of electronic medical records, assuring accuracy, completeness and compliance with regulations, certification standards, legal and ethical standards.
- Support the patients and family’s unique spiritual and cultural beliefs.
- Provide holistic, family-centered care across treatment settings to improve the quality of life.
- Consult and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and others involved in the patients care.
- Maintain the dignity of the dying patient.
0-5 years of experience
Palliative care for terminally ill patients
- Administer medications under physician orders/Hospice guidelines
- Education and compassionate communication with families and patients
- Observe patient for changes in condition
0-5 years of experience
Manage care of the terminally ill.
- Educate caregivers, families, and facilities regarding medication and comfort care of hospice patients.
- Communicate effectively among multidisciplinary team which includes MDs, social workers, and chaplains.
- Assess for signs and symptoms of actively dying patients, provide symptom management.
- Evaluate and update plan of care as needed for patients.
0-5 years of experience
Asses patients disease progression, and report to RN case manager.
- Assess patients for signs or symptoms of acute distress, and refer to RN case manager if needed.
- Daily dressing changes on patient’s wounds.
- Daily lab draw, administered acute meds as needed, and assist patients with activities of daily living.
0-5 years of experience
Maintain positive referral relationships with physicians and discharge
planners.
- Perform assessment visits with patients and their families to determine
- Collaborate with referral coordinators and clinical staff to facilitate patient
- Conduct hospice in-service for staff at hospital and nursing homes to explain
0-5 years of experience
Extending bed side care to the death and dying.
- Providing post mortem care.
- Journalizing patient level of condition each hour keeping record.
- Communicating and giving report to oncoming nurse.
0-5 years of experience
Taking care of hospice patients in their homes of in nursing homes.
- Check and record vital signs.
- Hours charting
- Administering medications
- Helping with all the ADL’S
Hospice Nurse Duties and Responsibilities
Daily responsibilities for hospice nurses vary widely depending on where they administer care, the number of patients they care for, and the number of family and other medical staff members they interact with. These core job duties, however, are common despite those variables:
Evaluate Patients Hospice nurses perform ongoing evaluations of patients and document their findings in patient charts with detailed observation notes.
Develop and Implement Care Plans Hospice nurses develop care plans for individual patients and adapt these plans as patient needs change. Hospice nurses follow these plans by administering medication and various treatments as outlined. To fulfill this duty, they collaborate with other nurses, attending physicians, and medical team members.
Check Vital Signs Hospice nurses check and record patient vital signs in charts, alerting other medical personnel to any potentially dangerous readings.
Support Family Members Hospice nurses prepare family members for the eventual death of patients and direct them toward available support services to help them through this process.
Notify Necessary Parties of Patient Deaths Hospice nurses notify attending physicians, staff members, and family members of patient deaths when they occur.
Follow Physician Orders Hospice nurses follow orders set forth by physicians regarding patient care. This can include administering IV drips, ventilators, and other treatments as needed.
Hospice Nurse Skills and Qualifications
Hospice nurses are caregivers who help patients and their family members manage the symptoms and emotions associated with terminal illness and death. Employers and individuals hire hospice nurses who display the following essential skills:
- Communication skills – hospice nurses work in collaborative team environments and speak frequently with patients and family members, which both require excellent verbal communication skills
- Analytical thinking – hospice nurses use analytical thinking to assess and evaluate patients and determine their current care needs
- Interpersonal skills – hospice nurses are caregivers who use exceptional interpersonal skills to work closely with deathly ill patients of all ages
- Attention to detail – hospice nurses take vital signs and make notes in patient charts, which requires strong attention to detail
- Time management – hospice nurses use good time management to work in fast-paced environments and follow care plans that require medications and treatments to be administered at precise times
Hospice Nurse Education and Training
In order to become hospice nurses, candidates must first obtain a license as a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). Professionals obtain these licenses by attending and completing an accredited nursing program and fulfilling the requirements set forth by each individual state regarding nursing certification or licensing. Some hospices additionally require hospice nurses to have previous nursing experience in a care setting. Hospice nurses who travel to patient homes to administer care must also have a valid driver’s license. Hospices and other medical facilities provide a brief paid training program to hospice nurses once hired. This training period varies by employer but is typically brief, lasting no more than a few weeks at most. During training, hospice nurses learn standard procedures and protocols followed by the hiring facility. Hospice nurses who are hired by individuals receive no training and begin performing their duties immediately.
Hospice Nurse Salary and Outlook
Data provided by PayScale shows that hospice nurses earn $29.82 in median hourly pay. According to data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses earn $70,000 in annual median salary, or $33.65 an hour. The BLS projects employment of RNs to increase 15 percent through 2026. This rate is much faster than the average national job growth rate. A majority of medical facilities who hire full-time hospice nurses provide complete benefit packages that include health, dental, and vision insurance. Retirement options and life insurance usually come standard in these packages. Paid vacation and sick days are also typically provided. Hospice nurses hired by individuals and families do not receive benefits and are responsible for their own healthcare and vacation needs.
Helpful Resources
Use these resources to seek hospice nurse job openings, find education and certification programs, and learn valuable tips and techniques for managing the responsibilities associated with this career:
American Nurses Association – browse the ANA website to find information about certification programs, explore educational resources, look for upcoming professional events, and read news updates about the nursing industry
Fast Facts for the Hospice Nurse: A Concise Guide to End-of-Life Care – this reference guide provides quick, practical information about caring for the terminally ill, as well as tips for managing end-of-life issues and ongoing patient care
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association – created for hospice nurses, HPNA provides information about certification programs, nursing research materials, and a career center that displays job opportunities in the field
Seven Keys to a Peaceful Passing: A Hospice Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Hospice – written by an experienced hospice nurse, this straightforward, step-by-step guide helps nurses manage difficult decisions and the daily trials associated with providing end-of-life care
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization – learn more about working as a hospice nurse with the NHPCO website, which provides extensive study resources, education information, job listings, and information about the industry
Final Gifts: Understanding the Special Awareness, Needs, and Communications of the Dying – written by two hospice nurses, this book provides insight and tips for other nurses who administer care to patients facing death