Caring for patients at the end of their lives requires compassion, dedication and a unique set of skills. Your role as a hospice nurse is profoundly impactful, and your resume should reflect the depth of your commitment and expertise.
Securing a job in hospice care can be as demanding as providing the exceptional care your patients need. Effectively presenting your skills and experiences is key to advancing your career.
That’s where we come in. Our guide will help you highlight your exceptional nursing abilities and the unique skills you’ve developed throughout your career.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- A hospice nurse resume example.
- Tips on selecting the right format and template.
- Advice for creating a strong resume.
- Guidance on writing a compelling cover letter.
- Key takeaways for hospice nurses.
Need your resume fast? Use our AI Resume Builder. It’s easy to use and provides templates and phrasing suggestions that describe your role as a hospice nurse, making it the quickest way to ensure your resume stands out to potential employers.
Hospice nurse resume examples
Here’s why this resume works:
-
Emphasizes key skills
This resume includes a range of skills, from pain management to family support. It clearly demonstrates the candidate’s qualifications to employers.
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Highlights impressive work experience
The work experience is presented in a reverse-chronological format, showing a consistent career progression in hospice nursing. This highlights the candidate’s growth and contributions in previous roles.
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Features relevant certifications
Including certifications such as Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) underscores the candidate’s commitment to professional development and expertise in the field.
Browse other popular samples
Related Guides & Tips
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:
- Functional resume: Emphasizes your skills rather than your work history, ideal if you’re new to hospice nursing or have a varied career path.
- Combination resume: Merges your skills and work history, suitable for those with extensive experience and specific skills to showcase.
For more guidance on resume formats, our detailed formatting guide can be a helpful resource.
Picking a resume template
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.
Step 1
Tailor your resume for every application
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.
Step 2
Start with your introduction
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:
Professional summary example:
Compassionate and experienced hospice nurse with over eight years of providing end-of-life care. Skilled in pain management, family support and interdisciplinary collaboration. Proven track record of improving patient comfort and satisfaction. Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families.
Resume objective example:
Caring and dedicated professional transitioning into hospice nursing. Eager to apply skills in patient care and emotional support. Committed to joining a compassionate team and making a significant impact on patients’ end-of-life experiences.
Step 3
Showcase your hospice nursing skills
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:
- Pain management
- Palliative care
- Symptom control
- Medical charting
- Empathy
- Effective communication
- Patience
- Relationship-building
Example skills section for a hospice nurse:
- Proficient in pain management and palliative care.
- Excellent communicator with patients and families.
- Highly organized and efficient in care planning.
- Experienced in symptom control and patient comfort.
Highlight your interpersonal skills. Strong communication and empathy are crucial in hospice care for supporting patients and their families during difficult times.
Step 4
Showcase your work experience
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:
Hospice Nurse, Serenity Hospice Care
Austin, TX
April 2018 – Present
- Implement individualized care plans, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate among patients and families.
- Train and supervise 10 nursing assistants, enhancing team efficiency and patient care quality.
- Have provided comprehensive end-of-life care to over 150 patients, ensuring their comfort and dignity.
Use strong action words to demonstrate your accomplishments. For example, “Implemented individualized care plans, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate among patients and families.”
Step 5
Emphasize your education
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:
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Certifications:
Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN)
Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center, active since January 2019
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
American Heart Association, active since June 2016
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:
Hospice Care Clinical Rotation, Serenity Hospice Care, 2020:
- Provided compassionate care to terminally ill patients.
- Assisted in pain management and symptom control.
- Supported patients and families emotionally during end-of-life care.
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:
Volunteer Hospice Nurse
Local Hospice, 2021-Present
- Provide end-of-life care and support to patients.
- Assist with pain management and comfort measures.
- Offer emotional support to patients’ families.
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:
- Excellence in Hospice Care Award, National Hospice Organization, 2023.
- Dean’s List, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Texas, 2017-2019.
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:
- Member, Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA).
- Member, American Nurses Association (ANA).
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:
- Fluent in Spanish and English.
- Conversational in Mandarin Chinese.
Add a 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 builder.
Now, let’s recap essential tips for creating a compelling hospice nurse resume.
Key takeaways for a hospice nurse resume
-
Choose the best format
Depending on your career stage and experience, select a resume format that best highlights your strengths and qualifications.
-
Customize for each job
Use keywords from the job description to ensure your resume gets through applicant tracking systems (ATS). Match these keywords with your relevant experiences.
-
Create a strong summary
If you’re new to hospice nursing, use a resume objective to emphasize your goals and potential contributions. For those with more experience, a professional summary is ideal for showcasing your expertise.
-
Highlight a range of skills
Balance clinical skills (such as pain management and palliative care) with soft skills (like empathy, communication and teamwork).
-
Add your clinical experience
For hospice nurses, detailing your clinical experience and rotations is vital. These sections demonstrate your hands-on skills and readiness to provide compassionate end-of-life care.
-
Include a cover letter
The cover letter is your chance to discuss aspects of your experience that aren’t covered in your resume. It allows you to share your personal journey and passion for hospice care.
Job seeker FAQ
Last Updated: June 17, 2024
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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
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