Hospice Nurse Resume: Examples, Template & Skills

Hospice nurse resume template to copy and paste

Feel free to copy and paste this text as a starting point for your hospice nurse resume.

Lydia Harper
Austin, TX 78701
lydia.harper@example.com
(555) 555-5555

Professional Summary

Compassionate and dedicated hospice nurse with over eight years of experience providing exceptional end-of-life care. Skilled in pain management, family support, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Committed to improving the quality of life for patients and their families through empathetic and holistic care.

Work Experience

Hospice Nurse
Serenity Hospice Care, Austin, TX
April 2018 – Present

• Provide comprehensive care to over 150 patients, ensuring comfort and dignity during their end-of-life journey.
• Implement individualized care plans, resulting in a 95% satisfaction rate among patients and families.
• Train and supervised 10 nursing assistants, enhancing team efficiency and patient care quality.

Registered Nurse (RN)
Comfort Home Health and Hospice, San Antonio, TX
June 2014 – March 2018

• Administered palliative care to a diverse patient population, achieving a 90% pain management success rate.
• Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop and execute personalized care plans.
• Educated families on patient care, end-of-life processes, and emotional support, improving family preparedness and satisfaction.

Staff Nurse
St. David’s Medical Center, Austin, TX
January 2012 – May 2014

• Provided acute care to patients in the oncology unit, managing complex medical needs and treatment plans.
• Achieved a 98% compliance rate with hospital policies and procedures, contributing to high-quality patient outcomes.
• Acted as a preceptor for new nurses, facilitating their integration into the unit and promoting best practices.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

Certifications

• Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS)

How to format a hospice nurse resume

Writing a resume for a hospice nurse role involves a thoughtful approach, ensuring it reflects your skills, experience and compassion.

The chronological resume format is typically the best way to structure your resume. If you have experience, the chronological format presents your work history starting from your most recent position, highlighting your career progression and deep expertise in the field of hospice nursing.

There are some exceptions to consider when you’re just starting out:

For more guidance on resume formats, our detailed formatting guide can be a helpful resource.

Picking a resume template

Create your resume

The next step is choosing a resume template.

For hospice nursing roles, a simple template is often the right choice. Straightforward designs ensure your resume is easy to read and that your qualifications stand out.

However, you know yourself best. If you have a bubbly personality, you might find a creative template is a better reflection of who you are. Ultimately, just make sure your template choice is professionally formatted and designed.

Alright, next we’ll show you how to make a resume the right way.

How to write a hospice nurse resume in 5 steps

Creating a resume as a hospice nurse can be challenging due to the emotionally demanding nature of the job.

It’s important to highlight not just your skills and experiences but also the compassion and dedication you bring to your patients.

Let’s walk through your perfect resume step by step.

Before you start, carefully review the job postings you’re interested in. Think of it like planning personalized care for each patient — you need to understand the job description and identify key requirements.

These requirements, often listed as keywords in the job ad, are crucial for passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS). To improve your chances, find these keywords and integrate them into your resume.

Now, let’s move on to creating each section of your resume.

Your resume’s introduction should be a clear and concise summary that draws the reader in.

Experienced job seekers, even if you only have a few years in the field, should use a professional summary. This brief section should highlight your top skills, key experiences and significant achievements in three to four sentences, showing your dedication and expertise in providing compassionate care.

If you are new to the field or transitioning from another career, consider using a resume objective instead. What makes this different? Objectives emphasize your career goals and how you plan to contribute to the employer’s success. This is a perfect area of focus if you don’t have much work history to tout.

Check out these examples:

Your resume should include a healthy mix of nursing skills.

Every hospice nurse uses both hard and soft skills on a daily basis. Your hard skills in pain management, palliative care and symptom control are as important as your soft skills like empathy, communication and teamwork.

If you’re transitioning into hospice nursing from another field, your transferable skills will be especially relevant. These can show your ability to adapt and excel in a new role.

Displaying a blend of skills on your resume will demonstrate your unique expertise.

For example, if you previously worked in a high-stress medical environment, emphasize your ability to manage complex patient needs and maintain composure under pressure. If you have experience in customer service, showcase your communication skills and your ability to provide compassionate care to patients and their families.

Let’s look at some examples of hard and soft skills:

Example skills section for a hospice nurse:

Your work history is the foundation of your resume. Clearly outline your previous roles and the care you’ve provided to create a strong impression on potential employers.

Use bullet points to list your experience, starting with your most recent position.

Example for a hospice nurse resume:

In nursing, your educational background is an essential part of your resume. Highlight your degrees and any certifications relevant to hospice care.

Earning certifications, such as Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), adds value and shows your dedication to the field.

Here’s an example from a hospice nurse resume:

Optional sections for a hospice nurse resume

Clinical rotations

Detailing your clinical rotations can provide insight into the breadth of your training and experience. This is especially important if you have completed rotations in palliative or hospice care settings.

How to list your clinical rotations:

Volunteer experience

Highlight your volunteer work, especially if it is related to healthcare or hospice care. This shows your commitment to the field and your willingness to contribute beyond paid roles.

How to list your volunteer work:

Awards and honors

Highlight any awards or honors you have received for your professional work or academic achievements. These accolades showcase your dedication and exceptional performance in the field of hospice care.

How to list your honors and awards:

Professional memberships

List your memberships in professional organizations. This indicates your involvement in the community and your commitment to staying updated with industry developments.

How to list memberships on your resume:

Language skills

If you are fluent in multiple languages, include this section to highlight your ability to communicate with and console diverse patients.

Here’s how to list your language proficiencies:

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

For a hospice nurse, conveying your passion and dedication goes beyond listing your skills.

A cover letter offers a chance to share your story — why you chose hospice nursing and the compassion you bring to your work. It allows you to highlight experiences and personal motivations that might not be evident on your resume.

Browse through cover letter examples to see how they blend personal narratives with professional accomplishments. For a customized letter, consider using a cover letter generator.

Now, let’s recap essential tips for creating a compelling hospice nurse resume.

Key takeaways for a hospice nurse resume