LPN Hospice Jobs Overview
Hospice nurses perform a unique function within the healthcare field. Rather than focusing their care on extending the life of the patient, they instead help terminal patients feel comfortable and supported at the end of their lives. If you’re a licensed practical nurse (LPN), hospice jobs are performed under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). LPNs, called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in California and Texas, have a narrower scope of practice than RNs but perform some of the same tasks as RNs (under their supervision) in a hospice setting.
If you have the compassion and strength to provide comfort and emotional support to patients with serious, incurable illnesses, LPN jobs in a hospice unit might be the right fit for you. Credenza’s job board gives you access to part-time, full-time, contract, temporary, and per diem LPN/LVN jobs in hospice and other specialized roles around the nation. You can also check out related roles such as home health LPN jobs and memory care LPN jobs.
Hospice LPN Jobs: Skills, Education, and Certifications
If you’re interested in becoming an LPN, you’ll need to complete an accredited LPN (or LVN) program, which requires a high school diploma or GED and takes about one year to complete. Then, you’ll need to pass the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) and submit all required documentation to your state board of nursing before you’re eligible for employment in this role.
To become a hospice nurse, you’ll first need to get experience working in an acute care facility, preferably in an ICU or ER unit. Employers typically require this kind of experience because hospice nurses often work in patients’ homes with little support. Although not required, passage of the Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse (CHPLN) exam can help showcase your expertise in this area to prospective employers. To be eligible for this certification exam, you must have at least 500 hours of experience in hospice and palliative care nursing over the past 12 months.
While compassion is an important attribute for any nurse, it’s absolutely critical when caring for individuals who are preparing for the end of their lives. In addition to having the right temperament, LPN hospice jobs demand skills such as:
- Acute care fundamentals
- Emotional intelligence
- Clear and effective communication
- Empathy and patience
- Veracity in the face of difficult truths
Resume and Cover Letter for Hospice LPNs
Your resume and cover letter will form the first impression with hiring managers when you apply for LPN hospice jobs, so it’s in your best interest to take your time writing them. Your LPN resume should start with a strong summary of your nursing career, something that a busy hiring manager can quickly read and get a good sense of your skills and accomplishments. As you list your skills, be sure to prioritize skills that are most in demand for hospice nursing professionals.
Your cover letter is a great opportunity to expand on your personal values, compassion, sense of tact, veracity, and other intangible qualities that would make you a top choice for this demanding role. You could also touch on how you would approach some of the more difficult scenarios that may arise in hospice care, such as dealing with family members who aren’t ready for their loved one to pass on.
Interviewing for Hospice LPN Jobs
Hiring managers can gauge an applicant’s motivations, temperament, and suitability for the job during the interview. Given the particularly sensitive nature of hospice care, interview questions for hospice care roles will focus on important soft skills such as communication, empathy, and a genuine desire to help terminal patients with this transition. Be prepared to explain why you’re interested in hospice care as a specialty and how you would advocate for patients.
Hospice Employers Hiring LPNs
Review the latest jobs for licensed practical nurses at some of these hospice care providers throughout the country:
Hospice LPN: Salary and Compensation
The average annual pay for LPNs (and LVNs) in the U.S. is $64,150, although actual salaries differ by state, type of facility, your level of education, and years of experience. The demand for LPNs in a given state or region also has a major impact on compensation. For example, higher-paying LPN jobs can be found in the following locations:
Pursue LPN Hospice Jobs on Credenza
You have plenty of options as you search for your next opportunity, from word-of-mouth to all-purpose job boards. Want to speed up your search? Credenza’s nurse-centered job board can connect you to the best LPN positions in hospice care and other specialties today.
