Purpose: This study was performed to identify the role adaptation process of hospice nurses and suggest a model for the process. Methods: Grounded theory methodology was used. Twenty nurses participated in individual in-depth interviews. Data were collected until saturated. Questions for the interviews were about phenomenon, conditions, action/interaction strategies, and consequences in the process. Data were analyzed by applying open, axial and selective coding proposed by Strauss and Corbin. Results: Core category of the role adaptation process was 'building up real capabilities'. Phenomenon of the role adaptation was oppressive feelings when caring for dying patients. Contextual conditions were lack of knowledge, experience and belief about hospice and hospice care being regarded as penance. Intervening conditions were expansion of horizons in understanding life and expansion of social comprehension about hospice. Action/interaction strategies included 'reflecting on oneself as a hospice nurse', 'using oneself with feelings of a calling' and 'striving for self-management'. Consequence of the process was being a caring expert for peaceful death. Conclusion: The role adaptation process of hospice nurses for the participants was the process of building up real capabilities leading them to become caring experts for peaceful death through overcoming oppressive feeling when caring for dying patients.