Rozina Aziz Those who have chosen hospice nursing as a career have a different perspective, saying how much they enjoy helping others and how satisfying their work is. Hospice nurses provide specialist clinical care and compassionate end-of-life care to those suffering from a terminal illness near the end of their life.
Although only some people are cut out to be hospice nurses, you likely have many questions if the profession interests you. We’ve included some information about what hospice nurses do, how much money they make, and how to get into the nurse to aid you in making this critical choice.
What is a Hospice Nurse?
Registered nurses with specialized training in terminally ill care are called hospice nurses. They play several important functions, including ensuring that terminally ill patients and their families receive high-quality care in the final weeks of life and receiving emotional and practical support themselves. They also deliver vital hands-on care and help patients and their loved ones navigate the difficult dying process.
What Do Hospice Nurses Do?
Hospice nurses are primary caretakers for terminal patients in their latter phases of life and prioritize their patients’ quality of life and comfort above all else.
Nurses offer personalized care to individuals in varied settings, including homes, hospices, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and senior living institutions. During the final weeks of life, they develop deep connections with their patients, families, and other caregivers.
How much does a Hospice Nurse make?
Across the United States, the typical salary for a hospice nurse is $78.450 annually. As a Hospice Nurse, you can count on a yearly bonus of $638 on average, or around 1% of your base income and 100% of your peers report receiving such a bonus. Hospice nurses in San Francisco earn an average of $118,036, which is more than double the national mean.
What are the Salary Ranges for Hospice Nurses?
In the United States, hospice nurses earn anywhere from $14,915 to $396,222 per year, with the typical wage at $71,976. Hospice R.N. salaries range from $71,976 to $179,856, with the highest earning $396,222. Here is the list of all the states of the United States of America:
| State | Average Salary |
| Alabama | $62,000 |
| Alaska | $74,000 |
| Arizona | $68,000 |
| Arkansas | $61,000 |
| California | $85,000 |
| Colorado | $70,000 |
| Connecticut | $77,000 |
| Delaware | $70,000 |
| Florida | $64,000 |
| Georgia | $63,000 |
| Hawaii | $74,000 |
| Idaho | $61,000 |
| Illinois | $69,000 |
| Indiana | $64,000 |
| Iowa | $63,000 |
| Kansas | $63,000 |
| Kentucky | $62,000 |
| Louisiana | $61,000 |
| Maine | $65,000 |
| Maryland | $72,000 |
| Massachusetts | $76,000 |
| Michigan | $66,000 |
| Minnesota | $68,000 |
| Mississippi | $60,000 |
| Missouri | $63,000 |
| Montana | $63,000 |
| Nebraska | $64,000 |
| Nevada | $72,000 |
| New Hampshire | $70,000 |
| New Jersey | $77,000 |
| New Mexico | $65,000 |
| New York | $78,000 |
| North Carolina | $63,000 |
| North Dakota | $64,000 |
| Ohio | $65,000 |
| Oklahoma | $62,000 |
| Oregon | $70,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,000 |
| Rhode Island | $73,000 |
| South Carolina | $62,000 |
| South Dakota | $62,000 |
| Tennessee | $63,000 |
| Texas | $65,000 |
| Utah | $63,000 |
| Vermont | $68,000 |
| Virginia | $68,000 |
| Washington | $74,000 |
| West Virginia | $62,000 |
| Wisconsin | $66,000 |
| Wyoming | $66,000 |
What amount of taxes will you owe as a Hospice Nurse?
In 2018, the average federal tax for a single filer would be around 22%. Hospice nurses can anticipate a take-home salary of $65,251 annually, or about $2,719 every pay period, after paying 22% in federal taxes.
What is the timeline for becoming a hospice nurse and starting to earn money?
The first step in a hospice nurse’s profession is education. They can then continue their education and get an ADN or BSN in the nursing field (BSN). By pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, one can have a deeper understanding of nursing theory and clinical management, which can inform better care planning for hospice patients.
After two to four years in school, you’ll be eligible to take the NCLEX. To practice as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination.
Hospice nurse roles often require a combination of four years of school and work experience. The good news is that even as a new RN, you can make a respectable living wage. Both associate degree nurses and bachelor of science in nursing graduates can expect to earn respectable beginning earnings.
Compare the salary of a hospice nurse with that of other nurses in similar positions.
- Salary for a hospice nurse: $70,717.94 per year on average.
- Triage nurses make $69,283.65,
- emergency room nurses make $78,451.61
- intensive care unit nurses make $84,281.06.
When deciding on a nursing specialty, essential factors like workplace hours, working environment, patient type, and salary should be considered. Salary is an important part of any work, and it’s understandable if there are other reasons for whether or not you become a hospice nurse.
What are the Paying Related Hospice Nurse Jobs in the U.S.?
We identified at least five occupations within the Healthcare sector that pay more annually than the average Hospice Nurse does. Some of the most common occupations in this sector include hospice medical directors, hospice physicians, and hospice registered nurses on temporary assignments.
Most notably, all of these positions offer salaries that are between $30,120 (37.2%) and $72,516 (90.0%) higher than the median income of a Hospice Nurse ($80,530). if you’re a certified Hospice Nurse, applying for one of the related positions below may increase your salary compared to working as a Hospice Nurse full-time.
FAQ’s
What is the job outlook for hospice nurses?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for hospice nurses is expected to grow 16% from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations.
What are the requirements to become a hospice nurse?
To become a hospice nurse, you must have a nursing degree and a valid nursing license. Additionally, you must complete a hospice and palliative care certification program.
What are the duties of a hospice nurse?
The primary duties of a hospice nurse include providing physical, emotional, and spiritual care to patients and families during a terminal illness. They also provide pain and symptom management, counseling, and bereavement services.
What is the role of a hospice nurse?
A good hospice nurse has the knowledge and abilities required for any critical care nursing role and the character traits of trustworthiness, patience, and empathy. The position demands analytical acuity, meticulousness, and focus, but perseverance and empathy are essential.
