Hospice career hub · role

Becoming a hospice RN — the complete role guide

The hospice RN is the case manager, the clinical eyes and ears of the interdisciplinary team, and the person the family calls first. It is one of the most autonomous and clinically satisfying nursing roles in healthcare — and one of the most emotionally demanding.

By Goodwin Hospice Academy Editorial Team·Published February 16, 2026

A day in the life

A typical day: 4–6 patient visits scheduled across a defined geography, with each visit lasting 45–90 minutes. Visits include a focused physical assessment, symptom-management adjustments (often via a standing order set with the hospice medical director), medication reconciliation, family education, IDG-note documentation, and coordination of aide/social worker/chaplain visits. Between visits, the RN triages phone calls from the on-call queue, communicates with the medical director on symptom escalations, and updates the plan of care in the EHR.

Education & licensing

Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program.
Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice.
CPR/BLS certification.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (hospice RN visits are primarily at patient residences).

Certifications

CHPN — Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse

Gold-standard hospice RN credential. Eligible after 500 hours of hospice/palliative practice in the past 12 months (or 1,000 hours in past 24 months). Administered by HPCC.

ACHPN — Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (APRN)

For nurse practitioners; requires APRN license.

CHPPN — Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse

For pediatric hospice RNs.

Salary reference

BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: median RN salary and hospice-nursing-specific compensation vary by geography and experience. Confirm current national and state-level data on the BLS site linked below.

We never publish specific compensation numbers here to avoid drift. Follow the BLS link in Sources below for current, verified data.

Entry pathway

01Get 1–2 years of med-surg or oncology experience (this is the most common hiring signal for hospice RN roles).
02Complete a hospice-focused CE course or shadow visit with a local hospice.
03Apply for hospice RN roles that offer a formal 4–8 week orientation (Goodwin Hospice Academy provides a full 14-week onboarding curriculum for new hires).
04After 12 months on the job, plan for CHPN eligibility and exam.

FAQ

Do I need a BSN?

Not universally — most hospices hire both ADNs and BSNs for staff RN roles. Some Magnet-affiliated systems require BSN for advancement.

How much driving is involved?

Substantial. Most hospice RN roles cover a defined geographic territory (30–60 mile radius). Mileage is reimbursed per company policy; some agencies provide a company vehicle for high-mileage territories.

What is the on-call rotation like?

Varies by agency. Common patterns: weeknight on-call once per week + one weekend per month, or a dedicated night-shift RN. Ask about the on-call structure during interviews — it is one of the biggest determinants of job satisfaction.

Grow your hospice career, one step at a time.

Create a free Goodwin Hospice Academy account to save this role guide, track certifications you\u2019re pursuing, and get a personalized growth path.

Create your free account Career Academy home

How to Become a Hospice Nurse

Hospice Nurse Interview Questions

Hospice Nurse Resume Guide

Hospice vs. Home Health Nursing

Sources

Educational content only. Confirm current licensure, certification, and compensation data with the linked primary sources.