[flowersRN]

To anyone with advice,

I would like to get information and possible "spend a day" with a hospice nurse. I have been trying to contact facilities to do this and am getting no call backs at all! I have 8 years chronic pain management in office and recovery room. Do I need to take a refresher? Do I need home health experience? Why isn't anyone even answering my calls or questions when I call for an informational interview?

Help!

[GerryG]

I would recommend applying for jobs and when you get an interview - if it is looking like a positive interview, then you should ask if you could go out with a nurse for a day. They may be thinking that they want to interview you before they allow you to go out with one of their nurses. I have had interviewees ask to go out on visits before they accepted a job and I have offered this, as I don't want someone to accept a job they are not sure about.

[flowersRN]

Thanks Geri, I'll give that a try. I just am not confident in applying if I don't even know if I have the experience for the specialty.

[clemmm78]

Originally Posted by flowersRN

Thanks Geri, I'll give that a try. I just am not confident in applying if I don't even know if I have the experience for the specialty.

While I can't say for sure why you're not getting callbacks, I imagine that it has to do with privacy issues, as well as it could become burdensome if they were to get numerous "can I tag along" requests without knowing how serious someone really is.

There's no reason why you shouldn't/can't apply and if this is how you think your path will go, then give it a try.

[GerryG]

Originally Posted by flowersRN

Thanks Geri, I'll give that a try. I just am not confident in applying if I don't even know if I have the experience for the specialty.

I would think your experience in pain management would be very helpful. Many of us entered this field with very little experience. I recently hired a nurse who had not been in clinical work for 7 years and she is really working out well. I think it is really about what you feel and whether this work is what you want to do. The rest will come.

[flowersRN]

Thanks Clemmm78! - I actually did get a response today from a recruiter who will at least discuss my options with a large hospital network where I live. I guess I'll just have to keep plugging along and go ahead and apply for some of these positions.

By the way - cute dog pic! I'm a lover of doggies too.

[river1951]

Don't give up. We encourage ride alongs if a nurse has never done any home care especially. Good to know if it's the right thing before jumping in. Where are you in the country?
River

[flowersRN]

Thanks River and Geri G, Your words are very encouraging! By the way I am in the Chicago metro area. I really feel that Hospice would be the best way for me to help patients given my background. I really want to do work that means something to the patient. Something I can feel and see is really beneficial to the patient and their loved ones. I have read some really touching accountings of this work with the terminal patient. I feel I have the sensitivities and hopefully will gain the "rest" as I go along.

[Larry in Florida]

Hi Guys,
Am interested in hospice. What is the way to get started ?
Thanks.

[mc3]

Hi Larry in Florida:
I'm in central FL too. If you just want to try it out, try doing some PRN pool work. It's a good way to see if you like hospice, and try the different areas - home care, LTC, hospice house, etc. If you're convinced you'd like it, I'd find the local hospices in your area and give them a call. And keep calling. The hospice I work for is slow in getting back to people that apply so just keeping trying! It's definitely worth it.
Good luck,
mc3