This personalized four-week coaching program is designed to help nurses confidently transition into hospice care. Whether you’re exploring the field or actively preparing for a career shift, these structured sessions will provide expert guidance, skill-building, and a tailored transition plan to support your journey.
Coaching Session Breakdown
Week 1: Introductions & Getting to Know You
✔ Understanding your background, experience, and motivations for transitioning to hospice
✔ Identifying your strengths and areas for growth in end-of-life care
✔ Setting personal goals and expectations for the coaching program
✔ Introduction to the hospice philosophy & what to expect from this journey
Week 2: Hospice Foundations
✔ Hospice vs. palliative care: Key differences and core principles
✔ The interdisciplinary team: Roles of nurses, social workers, chaplains, and aides
✔ Pain & symptom management basics (medications, comfort measures)
✔ Understanding hospice eligibility & Medicare guidelines
Week 3: Professional Role Exploration
✔ Exploring different hospice nursing roles:
• Case Manager (home hospice)
• Inpatient Hospice Nurse
• Admissions Nurse
• On-Call Nurse
✔ Day-in-the-life insights for each role & skills required
✔ Reviewing common challenges & rewards in each setting
✔ How to determine the best hospice role for your skills and preferences
Week 4: Individual Hospice Transition Planning
✔ Personalized career roadmap: Next steps based on your goals
✔ Resume & interview preparation for hospice nursing positions
✔ Self-care strategies & emotional resilience in hospice
✔ Final Q&A, resources, and action plan for a smooth transition
Program Details
• Format: 1:1 virtual coaching (Zoom or preferred platform)
• Session Length: 60 minutes per week (4 total sessions)
• Bonus: Personalized resources & action steps after each session
• Who It’s For: Nurses considering or actively transitioning into hospice
About the Instructor:
Katie Lord, RN, BSN
Katie Lord, RN, BSN, is a dedicated hospice nurse and educator with a passion for improving end-of-life care. With a career spanning both bedside and leadership roles, Katie has spent half of her nursing journey in hospice, gaining hands-on experience as a case manager, admissions nurse, on-call nurse, inpatient hospice nurse, as well as hospice management.
As a wife and mom of three young children, her career in hospice has allowed her the flexibility needed for different seasons of life without sacrificing the professional fulfilment she sought as a nurse. Katie fell in love with hospice nursing because it allowed her the ability to care for the whole patient; emotionally, spiritually and clinically. She provides not only clinical support to patients, but also empowers families during a devastating time, which is the ultimate caregiving experience.
Now serving as the Education Coordinator for the Illinois Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (ILHPCO), Katie is committed to equipping nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in hospice care. Her diverse background allows her to provide real-world insights into the challenges and rewards of hospice nursing, making her an invaluable guide for those considering this meaningful career path.
