What does a hospice nurse do?
A hospice nurse is a registered nurse who manages symptoms and comfort for patients with a terminal illness, and supports their families, usually at home, in a care facility or in a hospice unit.
The work
Hospice nurses assess pain and other symptoms, adjust medication with the physician, teach family caregivers and coordinate with social workers, chaplains and aides. Many visit patients in their homes and some are on call. The focus is comfort, not cure.
Getting started
An RN license is the base. Employers often prefer a year or more of experience in a medical-surgical setting. The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center offers the voluntary CHPN certification once you have practice hours.
Pay
Hospice nurses are not a separate category in federal data. The median RN earned $97,550 in May 2025. See salary by state.
Pay and projections: Bureau of Labor Statistics. NCLEX figures: NCSBN. Enrollment: AACN. Sources and years are ondata sources.