Profile: Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association

HPNA is a membership organization for individual members of the nursing team working in the specialty of hospice and palliative care across the life.

Ø    Incorporated in 1987 as the Hospice Nurses Association, the organization was created to establish a network and support for nurses in this specialty. In 1998, HPNA formally added palliative care to the organization to recognize the needs of nurses working in palliative care settings separate from hospice.

Ø    HPNA has become the nationally recognized organization providing resources and support for advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nursing assistants who care for people with life-limiting and terminal illness. Member Demographics

HPNA MISSION

The mission of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association is promoting excellence in end-of-life nursing by:

• Promoting the highest professional standards of hospice and palliative nursing;
• Studying, researching, and exchanging information, experiences, and ideas leading to improved nursing practice;
• Encouraging nurses to specialize in the practices of hospice and palliative nursing;
• Fostering the professional development of nurses, individually and collectively;
• Responding to the changing needs of HPNA members and the populations they represent; and
• Promoting the recognition of hospice and palliative care as essential components throughout the health care system.