The Registered Nurse will provide urgent, compassionate after-hours hospice care, responding promptly to patient and family needs, conducting necessary visits, and managing urgent symptoms like pain and respiratory distress. Responsibilities also include performing comprehensive nursing assessments, administering medications, supporting families through crisis, and coordinating necessary after-hours care according to physician orders.
Requirements summary
Candidates must be a graduate of an accredited nursing school with a current Registered Nurse (RN) license and a minimum of 1 year of clinical nursing experience, along with reliable transportation. Preferred qualifications include a BSN and experience in hospice or after-hours care.
Optimal care is growing and proactively building our talent pipeline for future opportunities. While this role may not be immediately available, we invite you to submit your resume to this posting. A member of our recruiting team will reach out to discuss opportunities with you.
Optimal Care is where your dedication meets a rewarding career.
As a clinician-owned and operated organization, we empower our team members to provide personalized, compassionate care to patients and families every day.
For 6 consecutive years, we have earned the Great Places to Work certification, and we believe that exceptional care starts with exceptional people. We’re committed to supporting your professional growth, valuing your expertise, and creating an environment where you can do your best work every day.
We are a leading provider of Physician Services, Home Health, and Hospice that encourages collaboration, innovation, and clinical excellence. From chronic disease management and rehabilitation to end-of-life care, our focus is on improving outcomes and enhancing quality of life.
We live a simple Mission
Serve Together, Provide Value, and Deliver Exceptional Quality Care.
About the Role
Imagine working only 26 weeks per year while earning a full-time salary.
As a Hospice After Hours Registered Nurse, you'll work 7 consecutive nights (5pm-8am, Monday-Sunday), then enjoy 7 full days off - giving you half the year to spend with family, pursue passions, or simply recharge.
No additional on-call requirements, no schedule surprises - just a predictable rotation that lets you plan your life with confidence.
During your working weeks, you'll be the compassionate presence that patients and families need during their most vulnerable hours, providing critical skilled nursing care and emotional support to terminally ill patients.
This specialized role is perfect for an experienced RN who thrives in autonomous settings, thinks critically under pressure, and finds deep fulfillment in hospice care while valuing an exceptional work-life balance.
Here's what makes this role exceptional
Predictable 7-on / 7-off rotation: Work Monday-Sunday nights (5pm-8am), then enjoy a full week completely off
Half the year off with full-time pay: Work only 26 weeks per year while earning a full-time salary
Benefits
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Vision Insurance
Medical Insurance
Mileage Reimbursement
Flexible Work Schedule
401(k) with Employer Match
Company Vehicle Program
Mentorship Culture
Start and finish at home: No commuting to an office - begin and end your on-call shifts from home
No additional on-call: Unlike many nursing roles, your schedule is set with no surprise call-ins or extended shifts
Optimized territories: Manageable drive times between patients ensure you can provide quality care without excessive travel
Work-life balance: Seven consecutive days off means genuine time to recharge, travel, pursue hobbies, or be fully present with family
This schedule is designed for nurses who want to make a meaningful impact in hospice care while having dedicated, uninterrupted time for their personal lives.
What you'll do
Provide Urgent Hospice Care
Respond promptly to after-hours patient and family needs with clinical expertise and compassion
Conduct admissions, routine visits, respite care, or continuous care as required
Assess and manage urgent symptoms including pain, anxiety, respiratory distress, and other comfort needs
Make critical clinical decisions independently while collaborating with on-call physicians and team members
Deliver Expert Clinical Nursing
Perform comprehensive nursing assessments and continuously re-evaluate patient needs
Demonstrate proficiency in medication administration across all routes (IM, SQ, SL, TD, PO, enteral tube, IV)
Use durable medical equipment and devices safely and effectively
Provide skilled interventions requiring specialized nursing expertise
Perform phlebotomy with proper implementation of universal precautions
Support Families Through Crisis
Provide appropriate support and guidance at time of death
Conduct bereavement assessments when requested
Offer reassurance and education to anxious families during nighttime hours
Help families navigate difficult decisions with empathy and clinical expertise
Coordinate After-Hours Care
Verify and follow plans of care according to physician orders and IDG assessments
Communicate significant findings and changes to physicians, supervisors, and facility staff
Assist with hospital discharges to home or facility settings during evening/overnight hours
Supervise home health aide and LPN care delivery per organizational policy
Report unsafe conditions promptly to appropriate parties
Maintain Clinical Excellence
Complete all documentation within 24 hours of visits
Document medication regimens and update profiles according to procedures
Ensure clinical notes reflect ongoing communication and care coordination
Demonstrate knowledge of Conditions of Participation and payor requirements
Maintain compliance with hospice regulatory standards
What we're looking for
Required Qualifications
Graduate of an accredited Diploma, Associate, or Baccalaureate School of Nursing
Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in state of practice
Minimum 1 year of nursing experience in a clinical care setting
Reliable transportation with valid driver's license and automobile insurance
Ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Experience in hospice or home health environment
Previous after-hours or on-call experience
Essential Skills and Competencies
Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking abilities
Excellent autonomous decision-making skills with good judgment
Emotional resilience and ability to support families facing end-of-life issues
Outstanding communication and crisis management skills
Comfort working independently during non-business hours
Ability to remain calm and focused in urgent or emotionally intense situations
Strong time management with ability to prioritize multiple urgent needs
Cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse beliefs about death and dying
What makes you successful
You're a confident, experienced RN who thrives working independently and making sound clinical decisions without immediate supervision.
You understand that after-hours nursing requires a special combination of clinical expertise, emotional intelligence, and the ability to think on your feet.
You're comfortable being the primary clinical resource for families during nights and weekends, providing not just skilled interventions but also reassurance and guidance.
You can manage the emotional intensity of hospice work - including being present at time of death - while maintaining your own emotional wellbeing and professional boundaries.
You're adaptable and unflappable, able to respond to urgent situations with calm competence.
You understand that families remember the nurse who came in the middle of the night to help their loved one—your presence during these critical hours provides immeasurable comfort and peace of mind.
Why join us?
Exceptional Compensation and Benefits
Competitive base salary up to $90K (based on experience)
Full-time pay for 26 weeks of work - only work half the year
Comprehensive health benefits package
401(k) retirement plan to secure your future
Predictable schedule with no surprise on-call requirements
Work-Life Balance
After-hours hospice nursing with our 7-on / 7-off schedule offers something rare in healthcare: work-life balance. You'll have seven full days off in a row every other week - enough time to truly disconnect, travel, manage personal commitments, or simply be present with loved ones without work interruptions. We provide comprehensive orientation including shadowing experienced after-hours nurses, 24/7 clinical support through our on-call system, and optimized territories that respect your time. You'll be part of a team that values your expertise and recognizes the critical nature of after-hours coverage.
Professional Growth
You'll practice nursing with autonomy, using the full scope of your clinical skills while making decisions that immediately impact patient comfort and family peace of mind. We support your continued development with ongoing education and clinical resources.
Work environment and schedule: The 7-on / 7-off Rotation
You'll work seven consecutive nights (5pm-8am, Monday-Sunday), starting and finishing each shift from your home.
During your on-call week, you'll travel to patient homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes within your optimized service area as needs arise.
Our territories are designed with manageable drive times to ensure you can respond effectively without excessive travel burden.
Then you'll enjoy seven full days completely off—no on-call, no interruptions, just dedicated personal time.
The role requires flexibility during your working week to respond to emergent situations and changing patient needs.
Physical demands include standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 lbs with assistance.
You may work independently for extended periods with 24/7 clinical support available via phone.
Ready to provide critical after-Hours care?
If you're an experienced RN who excels at autonomous practice and wants to make a profound difference during patients' most vulnerable hours, we'd love to hear from you.
Location • Office Location
Jackson, MI
Main
Service
Area: Greater Lansing and surrounding areas
Hours • On call for 7 days, then off for the next 7 days • 5
00 pm - 8:00 am Monday through Sunday
Training takes place 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday for the first 2-4 weeks
Pay Range $78,000—$82,000 USD
How We Care for You
Minimum of 3 Weeks Paid Time Off (PTO)
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
HSA and FSA options including Dependent Care
Company paid Short Term Disability
Company paid Life Insurance
401(k) with Employer Match
Mileage Reimbursement
Company Vehicle Program for field roles
Pet Insurance
ID and Fraud Protection
And more...
Background Screening
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Screening is completed by a third-party administrator, the Michigan Long-Term Care Partnership, and is performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act.
Reasonable Accommodations
We offer reasonable accommodations throughout the application process, interview stages, and during employment to ensure all team members can thrive. Please reach out to us if you would like to request a reasonable accommodation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We believe an exceptional place to work begins with diverse perspectives. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.