Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association

01/02/2026

As we head into the new year, a new episode of the HPNA Palliative Perspective Podcast is here.

In this moving episode we welcome Esther Pepper, RN, BSN, CHPN®, a veteran hospice nurse from Alaska whose more than two decades of compassionate service have shaped her debut memoir, My Calling: Chronicles of an Alaskan Hospice Nurse.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation that celebrates the courage, compassion, and calling behind hospice work—and the enduring lessons learned from those at life’s final threshold.

Listen here: https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-ah72a-58d4e9

12/30/2025

Get ready for this interactive Pre-Conference Session: Beyond the Script: Educating for Empathy and Impact in Serious Illness Communication

Join nationally recognized subject matter experts for this session on the myths and tasks of communication, empathic listening, responding to emotions, the role of culture in effective communication, and assessing personal values related to communication interactions. The education will integrate personal reflection and small group activities.

Sign up and Strengthen your communication. Deepen your impact: https://aahpm.org/education-events/annual-assembly/pre-conference-workshops/

12/29/2025

Register for the CAPC Fireside Chat Leading Through Change and Uncertainty in Palliative Care. HPNA's President-Elect, Rikki Hooper, MBA, MSN, FNP-BC, ACHPN®, NE-BC, FPCN®, will present alongside national leaders from CAPC, AAHPM, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Attendees will explore strategies to sustain team morale and well-being, foster collaboration across disciplines, and keep equity, quality, and patient-centered care at the heart of their work

Learn more here:

Periods of organizational or environmental change can test even the most experienced leaders. Whether adapting to new business directions, policy shifts, or evolving care models, leaders play a vital role in helping teams remain steady, motivated, and aligned with their shared purpose.

12/23/2025

The Advocacy Toolkit that launched last month has already had 4,000+ downloads!

Policymakers need to hear from the nurses who are providing care to patients in their communities, and HPNA’s advocates play an integral role in telling the hospice and palliative nursing story.

Even a few minutes each week devoted to one small advocacy action can help raise awareness among policymakers.

Discover how you can get involved and make your voice heard by exploring the HPNA Advocacy Toolkit here: https://www.advancingexpertcare.org/sdc_download/14658/?key=699jqw40zoxgn0vu0wnnhdzshz6aw0

12/22/2025

Are you prepping for the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN®) Exam or maybe just need a quick refresher? Access our updated Practice Exam with 50 questions like the one below here: https://portal.advancingexpertcare.org/ItemDetail?iProductCode=PEXAM-CHPN25.

Test your knowledge and drop your guess in the comments. We’ll post the rationale for the correct response in the comments tomorrow.

Which of the following treatments is MOST effective in managing discomfort related to ascites?
1. Paracentesis
2. Hydrochlorothiazide
3. Furosemide
4. Nasogastric tube

12/22/2025

Motivation Monday!

This holiday season, remember to care for yourself. Prioritizing your own well-being allows you to continue giving your best to others.

12/19/2025

Congratulations to Rachel Wells, PhD, RN, CNL, CHPN®, FPCN® — HPNA’s December Volunteer of the Month!

“I enjoy volunteering with HPNA because it is an opportunity to connect with peers and thought leaders to expand my knowledge, discuss the state of the field of hospice and palliative care, and to grow collaborations that will lead to meaningful impact."

Thank you, Rachel, for your outstanding dedication and service!

12/18/2025

As an HPNA member, you can access the first edition Scope, Standards, and Competencies for the Hospice and Palliative RN and APRN resource, for free!

Developed by nursing experts and grounded in evidence, this essential resource unites prior scopes, standards, and competencies into one comprehensive guide. It defines the roles, expectations, and professional benchmarks that support and elevate hospice and palliative nursing across all care settings.

Access it now: https://portal.advancingexpertcare.org/ItemDetail?iProductCode=HP507E

12/17/2025

Did you know? As an HPNA member, you get free access to our Nursing Resource Guides!

All guides are available in both English and Spanish, including our Advance Care Planning and Dementia guide and many more. Explore them here: https://www.advancingexpertcare.org/education-events/nursing-resource-guides/

12/16/2025

We’ve officially wrapped the HPNA Palliative Perspective 2025 podcast season!

Scroll through to see everything the Palliative Perspective podcast accomplished this year. HPNA has a lot in store for the 2026 season, so now is the perfect time to catch up on past episodes and get ready for what’s next.

Special thank you to all of our incredible guests who shared their expertise and insights with our audience.

Listen here: https://www.advancingexpertcare.org/practice-research/hpna_palliative_perspective_podcast/

12/15/2025

The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) joined more than 50 organizations in endorsing the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act, which was introduced this week by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL).

Learn more here: https://www.advancingexpertcare.org/news/hpna-endorses-bill-to-address-nursing-faculty-shortage-modernize-nursing-education/