RN Hospice Intern | Home Care

MIDLAND CARE CONNECTION INC•Topeka, KS

2d•$17•Hybrid

About The Position

Midland Care Connection is a not-for-profit, community-based organization dedicated to helping older adults and seriously ill individuals stay independent and supported in their homes. Established in 1978, we offer a full continuum of care, including hospice, palliative care, home health, grief and loss counseling, and our signature PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program. Our mission centers on "meeting individual needs through innovative care solutions," and we serve people across multiple counties in northeast Kansas. Hospice Home Care Provides compassionate, comprehensive support for individuals facing terminal illnesses, helping them live with comfort, dignity, and peace in the place they call home. The program focuses on improving quality of life rather than prolonging it, addressing not only physical symptoms but also emotional, spiritual, and social needs. A dedicated team of professionals—including nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers—works closely with patients and their families to create personalized care plans, manage pain and symptoms, and offer counseling and respite services. Midland Care’s hospice program also extends bereavement support to families after a loved one’s passing, ensuring ongoing care and guidance during their time of grief. The goal is to provide holistic, person-centered end-of-life care and support that honors each individual’s values and wishes. Registered Nurse Intern Work alongside experienced hospice nurses to learn how to provide compassionate end-of-life care to patients and families. The internship or clinical experience usually focuses on helping patients remain comfortable, managing symptoms such as pain or shortness of breath, and supporting emotional, spiritual, and physical needs during the final stages of life. Hospice care may take place in patients’ homes, nursing facilities, or Midland Care’s inpatient hospice house. The RN intern would observe and assist with patient assessments, medication administration, wound care, vital signs, and comfort-focused nursing interventions under supervision. They may also help update care plans, document patient conditions, and learn how hospice nurses coordinate care with physicians, social workers, chaplains, aides, and volunteers. Education is another major part of the role, as hospice nurses teach families what to expect during the dying process and how to provide comfort care at home. A typical day could include reviewing patient charts, traveling to several patient homes or hospice facilities, participating in family discussions, assisting with symptom management, and completing documentation. The experience helps nursing interns develop clinical judgment, communication skills, emotional resilience, and the ability to provide compassionate care during difficult situations. Nurses in hospice often describe the role as highly relationship-centered and focused on dignity and quality of life rather than curative treatment.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in an accredited Registered Nurse (RN) program
Completion of foundational nursing coursework (e.g., fundamentals, pharmacology, and health assessment)
Ability to work under the supervision of a licensed Registered Nurse
Strong communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with older adults and care teams
Basic clinical skills, including vital signs, patient hygiene, and documentation
CPR/BLS certification (or ability to obtain prior to start)
Ability to meet health, immunization, and background check requirements

Nice To Haves

Prior clinical, volunteer, or healthcare experience (e.g., CNA, patient care tech, or similar role)
Interest in geriatric nursing and community-based care models like PACE
Familiarity with medication administration and chronic disease management
Experience with electronic medical records (EMR) systems
Strong organizational, time-management, and critical thinking skills
Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team

Responsibilities

Observe and assist with patient assessments.
Observe and assist with medication administration.
Observe and assist with wound care.
Observe and assist with vital signs monitoring.
Observe and assist with comfort-focused nursing interventions under supervision.
Help update care plans.
Document patient conditions.
Learn how hospice nurses coordinate care with physicians, social workers, chaplains, aides, and volunteers.
Teach families what to expect during the dying process and how to provide comfort care at home.
Review patient charts.
Travel to patient homes or hospice facilities.
Participate in family discussions.
Assist with symptom management.
Complete documentation.