Aspiring Hospice Nurse

DCarman-student · Jun 20, 2011

I am in pretty much the same boat as you Grad. I am not graduating as soon as you are but I really want to go into hospice nursing.

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2011

I am a STUDENT NURSE expected graduation date: MAY 2012. I am on the path to becoming a hospice nurse and I'm not sure how to go about it. I researched the different certification recommendations, but I'm just not sure if I'm able to obtain them as a student nurse. Can someone list for me the different certifications most hospice nurses have, if student nurses are able to receive them and if they know any graduate nurses that got employment (hospice, palliative care) fresh out of school. Thanks!

I don't know of any certifications you could obtain as a student, but here's a link to the HPNA website: http://hpna.org/

Have you thought about volunteering for a hospice? One of our volunteers works in the office and the other one visits w/ the pts to give the PCG a little respite.

DCarman-student · Jun 22, 2011

I don't know of any certifications you could obtain as a student, but here's a link to the HPNA website: http://hpna.org/
Have you thought about volunteering for a hospice? One of our volunteers works in the office and the other one visits w/ the pts to give the PCG a little respite.

I have a question for you; I am a dual Psychology and Nursing major. Do you think that will be too much education to work in a hospice, in other words should I leave the Psychology major off of my resume and only have the Nursing BSN listed when I apply to jobs?

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2011

I have a question for you; I am a dual Psychology and Nursing major. Do you think that will be too much education to work in a hospice, in other words should I leave the Psychology major off of my resume and only have the Nursing BSN listed when I apply to jobs?

I see you are still a pre-nursing major. I think you'll find once you get accepted into a nursing program and start classes, you'll only have time for one major. Nursing school will be your life.

AI13 · Jun 24, 2011

I graduated in May as a BSN RN and because of the lack of hospital jobs and my interest in hospice I ended up snagging a full time job at a local hospice inpatient facility that I did 6 weeks of clinical at. I interview with the director of nursing and one of the nurse supervisors that I had actually met and gotten to know when I was doing my clinicals there so the interview when smoothly. Their application process is much more extensive and they definitely make sure you are the right type of person as it takes a special person to be a hospice nurse. I would suggest volunteering at a hospice facility or getting an aide position there. By spending time in the environment you'll be able to get a sense for what they are about, if you really enjoy it, and it will make your resume look a lot better when it comes time to apply and you'll be able to answer and questions they have for you with your experience and background. I don't know of any certifications that you would need to get, but it may vary by state.

DCarman-student · Jun 27, 2011

I see you are still a pre-nursing major. I think you'll find once you get accepted into a nursing program and start classes, you'll only have time for one major. Nursing school will be your life.

I am not worried about that. I have so many college credits as it is that I will be done with my Psychology degree the semester before I start nursing school.

missy--kay · Jun 27, 2011

Good luck to the both of you. Hospice is the only reason I went to nursing school. I lost my 30 year old sister in an inpatient hospice unit to brain cancer. After sitting vigil for 8 weeks w her I realized I had to get there. I chose that unit for my RN capstone project. After graduating, they were not hiring (only 6 RNs on staff) so I took a position at an LTC. 6 months later, they called for an interview and I have been there since. Hospice is a world away from acute care nursing. I love it. I cannot imagine myself anywhere else. The job satisfaction is amazing. Again, good luck!!