[rosemadder]

I am in my 2nd semester of nursing school and am interested in becoming a Hospice nurse eventually. My clinical instructor told me that Hospice nurses do not make as much as nurses in the hospital. Is this the norm? Money is not the reason I will be working for Hospice but I am curious if this is true. I assumed (operating from a base of no knowledge) that Hospice was considered a specialty area and probably paid more.

Thanks for the insight!

[Arwen]

Originally posted by rosemadder
I am in my 2nd semester of nursing school and am interested in becoming a Hospice nurse eventually. My clinical instructor told me that Hospice nurses do not make as much as nurses in the hospital. Is this the norm?

I have no idea what the norm is, but its true here. On the other hand, I think all the nurses would tell you that the working conditions, and the other compensations (intrinsic rewards) more than make up for it! In larger hospices that are part of larger institutions the salaries may be different.

[nursechris1]

Here in Nebraska, Hospice nurses make the same as hospital nurses. Even if we didn't I wouldn't have chosen a different profession. It is incredibly rewarding.

[nehi]

I agree the rewards outway the difference in pay. This is truley a job where when you leave you feel you made a difference.

[nurse T]

Yes, it is a specialty area and requires training. However your pay will depend on many things. Geographic location, experience, large or small company,etc. I have found the small town pay and benefits much better due to company concern for high turnover and the fact that it costs much more to hire new employees than to keep the ones they already have. I started out in nursing at base pay for new grad 5 yrs ago at 13.50 in LTC. Then worked PT for a hospice facility in big city for 14.25, and PT for pool in big city for16.00. Then 3 yrs ago started with small town Home Hospice care at 15.50 and with annual raises now make 17.72. There is a hospice certification you can work on, however I have not heard anyone say it commanded higher pay after getting it. It should!

[KatrinkaRN]

I work for a hospice that is affiliated with a hospital so the nurses' salaries compare to those nurses that work in the hospital. But just like everyone else that has posted what I get from this job is so much more than a paycheck.

I did work for a "for profit" hospice which did command a higher salary but the focus is just not the same as working for a non-profit organization.

[nursemicke]

Hi Robin,
There is a job listed in our paper today in Niceville, Fl
$30-$38 Plus benefits, mileage and annualmerit increases.

Anne
How did your hospice visit go?

[rosemadder]

My hospice clinical was great! I got to see the new facility (they have a 6 bed hospice house on site-which is very nice) and I went out with the Hospice nurse. I love their philosophy and really would like to work there some day! (Thanks for asking, Anne)

[JEA616]

I left hospital nursing 6 months ago to work in assessmenys at Hospice. I worked PRN at the hospital and at Hospice an took a HUGE pay cut. Our Hospice is very large but still cannot compete with the hospitals in salaries. However the trade off is greater job satisfaction and flexibility.