[sharonlaz]

I am 55, have taught Waldorf Kindergarten and been a movement therapist till now(also raised 3 children). I just completed a semester at UMass/Amherst toweards a second Bachelor's in Nursing but still have doubts about continuing. I encountered a lot of professional unhappiness. I am very interested in Hospice work but am still not sure if Nursing is the way to go deeper and so I consider social work, counselling, etc. I'd like to hear from Hospice Nurses about their work experience in terms of personal satisfaction. Thanks!

[mushberry]

Originally Posted by sharonlaz

I am 55, have taught Waldorf Kindergarten and been a movement therapist till now(also raised 3 children). I just completed a semester at UMass/Amherst toweards a second Bachelor's in Nursing but still have doubts about continuing. I encountered a lot of professional unhappiness. I am very interested in Hospice work but am still not sure if Nursing is the way to go deeper and so I consider social work, counselling, etc. I'd like to hear from Hospice Nurses about their work experience in terms of personal satisfaction. Thanks!

One of my fiance's aunts...or family friends, I'm not sure, works at a hospice, not as a nurse, but in PR or something. Anyway, she was trying to sell the job to me when we were all together for his brother's graduation. I don't know what it is really like to work there, but she said it's one on one nursing, and the nurse tends to be the one in charge. From what I've heard about nurses working in hospice care, if that's an area you like, and I'm assuming you're thinking of palliative care (correct me if I'm wrong), they find it very rewarding, albeit sad as well. That probably doesn't help at all, and it is true that there are a lot of people who are burned out in nursing and don't like their profession, but there are a lot of people everywhere dissatisfied with their jobs, and there are a lot of people who end up in nursing when it's not the place for them...I've found that there are also a lot of people in nursing who love their jobs even after 20 years, and if you like working with people and genuinely care about them and want to be in the profession, and are careful about where you work (as in, don't work on a floor where your patient ratio is like 8/1), then you probably won't burn out.

[hhendu5]

Originally Posted by mushberry

One of my fiance's aunts...or family friends, I'm not sure, works at a hospice, not as a nurse, but in PR or something. Anyway, she was trying to sell the job to me when we were all together for his brother's graduation. I don't know what it is really like to work there, but she said it's one on one nursing, and the nurse tends to be the one in charge. From what I've heard about nurses working in hospice care, if that's an area you like, and I'm assuming you're thinking of palliative care (correct me if I'm wrong), they find it very rewarding, albeit sad as well. That probably doesn't help at all, and it is true that there are a lot of people who are burned out in nursing and don't like their profession, but there are a lot of people everywhere dissatisfied with their jobs, and there are a lot of people who end up in nursing when it's not the place for them...I've found that there are also a lot of people in nursing who love their jobs even after 20 years, and if you like working with people and genuinely care about them and want to be in the profession, and are careful about where you work (as in, don't work on a floor where your patient ratio is like 8/1), then you probably won't burn out.

You make good sense. But tell me, where can I find a floor where the ratio is less than 8/1 (A little joke)

[louise ferguson]

Originally Posted by sharonlaz

I am 55, have taught Waldorf Kindergarten and been a movement therapist till now(also raised 3 children). I just completed a semester at UMass/Amherst toweards a second Bachelor's in Nursing but still have doubts about continuing. I encountered a lot of professional unhappiness. I am very interested in Hospice work but am still not sure if Nursing is the way to go deeper and so I consider social work, counselling, etc. I'd like to hear from Hospice Nurses about their work experience in terms of personal satisfaction. Thanks!

Hi there

I donr know if this will help you or not, im not a hospice nurse but my sister is in Scotland and says that after a few years working on medical wards that she has great job satisfaction knowing that shes made such a big difference to someones life and given them the best possible dignified death, She loves her job. I couldnt do it myself, too depressing after a while for me. I work in ICU and prefer the more acute side of things but i do get alot back ffrom being able to give someone a very peaceful death and help to support the family. The thing is as well, when some one dies, the family will never forget it and you can play a big part in this time by doing your best for your patient and their loved ones. You cant beat that satisfaction in any other speciality i think. Its an individual thing, so go with what you think best, mabey get some work experience in a hospice first to see how you get on? Hope this helps Louise x