Hospice and palliative care is a specialty grounded in compassion, dignity, and holistic support for individuals facing serious illness. At the heart of this care are Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPNs/LVNs) and Nursing Assistants (NAs)—essential team members who bring hands-on skill, emotional presence, and continuity to patients and their families in moments of profound vulnerability.

This first edition of LPN/LVN & NA Scope, Standards, and Competencies brings together, for the first time, a unified and structured framework tailored specifically to these roles. The text is built on the belief that LPNs and NAs are not auxiliary but integral to high-quality hospice and palliative care. Their ability to interpret patient needs, act with clinical insight, advocate ethically, and deliver culturally responsive care is not only valued—it is vital.

The content of this book is grounded in the Synergy Model for Patient Care, which emphasizes the alignment between patient needs and nurse competencies. This model forms the backbone of the core competencies, standards, and role expectations outlined throughout the text.

This resource has been developed to serve multiple purposes:

• To clearly articulate the scope of practice for LPNs and NAs in hospice and palliative care;
• To define and support core clinical competencies required for excellence in practice;
• To establish standards of care and professional performance in alignment with national frameworks;
• And to promote professional development, ethical integrity, and caregiver well-being in this demanding field.

As the population ages and the demand for specialized, person-centered care increases, it is essential that all members of the interdisciplinary team are supported with the training, tools, and frameworks necessary to provide competent, compassionate, and collaborative care. This textbook is designed not only as an educational guide but as a practical companion—a reference and reinforcement of best practices at the bedside and beyond.

Whether you're a learner new to the field or a seasoned professional seeking clarity and growth, this text is a foundational step toward affirming the value, advancing the role, and elevating the impact of LPNs and NAs in hospice and palliative care.

Welcome to the first edition.

ISBN: 979-8-9910211-6-6

Edited by: Tami Borneman, MSN, RN, CNS, FPCN®

This guide is free for HPNA members. If you are not already a member, join here.

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