What is a Palliative Care Nurse?
A hospice and palliative care nurse is a healthcare professional who provides specialized care to patients and families facing serious or life-limiting illnesses. They work with individuals with a predicted life span of 6 months or less, in which the primary aim is to manage symptoms and improve quality of life, rather than seeking a cure. A palliative care nurse is part of a multidisciplinary team, which may include doctors, social workers, chaplains, and other healthcare professionals, to provide holistic and compassionate care to patients.
Palliative care nurses can work in several environments, including hospice care centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and patient’s homes. Their primary focus is to help patients manage symptoms, relieve pain and discomfort, and improve their quality of life. They also provide emotional support to patients and families and help them navigate the end-of-life journey. Other important duties of a palliative care nurse include:
– Developing and implementing end-of-life care plans.
– Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, such as physicians, social workers, and chaplains.
– Coordinating hospice services and ensuring continuity of care.
– Educating patients and families about palliative care and available resources.
– Regularly reassessing patients’ needs and adjusting care plans as necessary.
– Administering medications and managing patients’ medication regimens.
– Document patient care and progress.
– Ensuring patients’ comfort and dignity throughout their care.
– Coordinating transitions between levels of care and healthcare facilities.
– Assisting with personal care and hygiene.
– Monitoring and managing symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, and fatigue.
– Administering oxygen and other supportive therapies.
– Responding to emergencies and making appropriate referrals.
– Assisting patients and families with making advance funeral arrangements.
The job of a hospice and palliative care nurse requires a high level of compassion and empathy, as well as advanced clinical skills. They must have a deep understanding of hospice and palliative care principles, and be able to effectively communicate with patients and families.
How to become a Palliative Care Nurse
Palliative care nurses and palliative care nurse practitioners both provide compassionate care and support to patients with serious illnesses, but there are some key differences in their duties and education. Palliative care nurses typically have a registered nursing (RN) license and focus on managing patients’ symptoms, providing emotional support, and coordinating care with other healthcare providers.
On the other hand, palliative care nurse practitioners have advanced education and training and are licensed to practice as a nurse practitioner (NP), allowing them to perform physical exams, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and make treatment decisions. While both play important roles in palliative care, palliative care nurse practitioners may have a wider scope of practice and more autonomy in their decision-making, while palliative care nurses provide more hands-on care and support to patients and their families.
Here is an overview of the steps to become either one:
Palliative Care Nurse:
– Obtain a registered nursing (RN) license: this requires completing an accredited nursing program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
– Gain experience in medical-surgical nursing or another relevant field: this can be done through working as a staff nurse or in a related specialty area.
– Seek out palliative care training and education opportunities: many hospitals, hospices, and educational institutions offer continuing education courses and programs in palliative care.
– Seek certification in hospice and palliative nursing: the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center offers certification for RNs who meet the eligibility criteria.
Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner:
– Obtain a master’s degree in nursing: this typically requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and completion of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.
– Become a licensed RN: this involves passing the NCLEX-RN exam and obtaining an RN license.
– Gain experience as a registered nurse in medical-surgical nursing or another relevant field.
– Complete a nurse practitioner program with a focus on palliative care: this typically includes advanced coursework in pharmacology, physical assessment, and palliative care, as well as clinical experience in the field.
– Obtain certification as a nurse practitioner: this involves passing a certification exam, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
Skills of a Palliative Care Nurse
Palliative care nurses play a crucial role in providing comfort and support to patients with serious illnesses who are nearing the end of life. To be effective in this role, palliative care nurses need a variety of skills and qualities, including:
– Emotional intelligence: palliative care nurses must be able to understand and respond to patients’ and families’ emotions, providing empathy, comfort, and support.
– Communication skills: palliative care nurses must be able to effectively communicate with patients, families, and other healthcare providers, as well as provide education and support.
– Clinical expertise: palliative care nurses must have a strong foundation in nursing care, including knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and symptom management.
– Critical thinking and problem-solving skills: palliative care nurses must be able to assess patients’ conditions, develop and implement care plans, and make decisions in response to changing conditions.
– Cultural competence: palliative care nurses must be able to provide culturally sensitive care to patients and families from diverse backgrounds.
– Adaptability: palliative care nurses must be able to adapt to changing patient needs, working environments, and technologies.
– Patience and compassion: palliative care nurses must be able to provide care and support to patients and families over extended periods of time, even in challenging circumstances.
Salary of a Palliative Care Nurse
In the United States, the average yearly salary for a Palliative Care Nurse is estimated to be $114,346, according to Glassdoor. The average total pay is $122,525 per year including additional pay such as cash bonuses, commissions, tips, and profit sharing. The average additional pay for this role is estimated to be $8,179 per year.
For Palliative Care Nurse Practitioners, the estimated average yearly salary is $131,604, with a total pay of $141,327 per year, according to Glassdoor.
FAQs
Q: Why palliative care nursing?
A: Palliative care nursing offers a unique opportunity for nurses to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families during a challenging and emotional time. Palliative care nurses specialize in providing comfort, support, and symptom management to patients with serious illnesses who are nearing the end of life. This type of nursing allows for a focus on the patient’s quality of life and personal needs, rather than just the illness itself.
Q: What makes a good palliative care nurse?
A: A good palliative care nurse is someone compassionate, empathetic, and has excellent communication skills. They are knowledgeable about end-of-life care and can provide emotional support to patients and their families. Palliative care nurses also have strong clinical skills and can effectively manage symptoms and provide comfort to their patients.
Q: Is palliative care nursing hard?
A: Palliative care nursing can be emotionally challenging, as nurses often work with patients who are nearing the end of life and their families who are dealing with loss. However, for those who are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives during this time, the reward can be profound. Palliative care nurses need to be resilient and have the ability to manage their emotions while providing the best care possible to their patients.
Q: Where do hospice nurses work?
A: Hospice nurses can work in hospice facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, and patient’s homes.
References:
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nhpco.org
Hospice Foundation of America. (n.d.). Hospice Services. Retrieved from https://hospicefoundation.org/Hospice-Care/Hospice-Services
Advancing Expert Care. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.advancingexpertcare.org/
Palliative care nurse: salary. Glassdoor. Retrieved from https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/palliative-care-nurse-practitioner-salary-SRCH_KO0,34.htm