[dosamigos76]

I graduated last December and after working on a surgical floor in acute care, moved to another state and got my dream job. I have been working for two weeks with a wonderful hospice agency.

I was assigned my first patient last friday and I am scared. Part of me thinks, I can do this...I was scared when I started working as a LPN, and I got through it and made it to my RN. The rest of me is just not sure I'll ever learn what I need to do. I read the posts here and am blown away by your all's expertise and knowledge. OMG!!!!!!!!

I am so afraid that I will let my patients down and the people I work with and for down because of my inexperience. I'm trying so hard, but...

Any suggestions? Is it really just me???

Cheryl

[aimeee]

You CAN do this and it is normal to be nervous at first. Don't be afraid to ask lots and lots of questions of the veteran nurses you work with. Make sure to support yourself with plenty of sleep, good nutrition, exercise, and some time for fun and replenishing your spirit.

[dosamigos76]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions so quickly. I think I'm beginning to see the importance of taking care of myself. My air conditioner was out on my car and I went a week w/o any.......I just didn't have the time or opportunity to get it fixed. My boss gave me the morning off and I was able to get it fixed. YEAH!!!! Just a little thing, but it sure makes a difference.

I am just concerned that I don't begin to know enough.......I don't want to let anyone down. They told me to expect it to be six months before I felt more comfortable and a year before I felt confident in what I was doing. That's a looooooooong time. I understand it with my head, it's my heart and my confidence that's the issue.

Thanks again, I really do appreciate your comments.

Cheryl

[doodlemom]

Originally Posted by dosamigos76

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions so quickly. I think I'm beginning to see the importance of taking care of myself. My air conditioner was out on my car and I went a week w/o any.......I just didn't have the time or opportunity to get it fixed. My boss gave me the morning off and I was able to get it fixed. YEAH!!!! Just a little thing, but it sure makes a difference.

I am just concerned that I don't begin to know enough.......I don't want to let anyone down. They told me to expect it to be six months before I felt more comfortable and a year before I felt confident in what I was doing. That's a looooooooong time. I understand it with my head, it's my heart and my confidence that's the issue.

Thanks again, I really do appreciate your comments.

Cheryl

Wow, give yourself a break! Let's say that you had been working in long term care for several years and got a job in a step down unit. I think it would certainly take you a good 6 months to feel comfortable. This is the same thing. Anytime you go into a specialty, you should expect to take a while to really feel confident in yourself. I can imagine that it is hard to fell not so confident in yourself but I'm sure you will do great!

[LJLeach]

Take it EASY on yourself...You'll do fine. Don't be afraid to ask a LOT of questions... (remember your other team members WANT you to succeed, otherwise their caseload increases).
One thing I've discovered in Hospice is that the biggest portion of it is relational. You become a part of the family. Listen. They want to tell their story. Use phases like, "Tell me about..." "What is it like for you ..." Open ended questions convey an active interest in what they're going through, and when the families sense that you REALLY care about them by listening to them, they give a lot a latitude for your inexperience.
God bless you, you'll do great.

[aimeee]

Originally Posted by LJLeach

One thing I've discovered in Hospice is that the biggest portion of it is relational. You become a part of the family. Listen. They want to tell their story. Use phases like, "Tell me about..." "What is it like for you ..." Open ended questions convey an active interest in what they're going through, and when the families sense that you REALLY care about them by listening to them, they give a lot a latitude for your inexperience.
God bless you, you'll do great.

This is SO true. For many people it is like the dam breaking when hospice comes in and they sense they can finally talk about what they are experiencing with someone who understands.

[saribeth]

you will be super...the learning curve is never ending...I have been doing this for almost 5 years and there are always new situations that arise...the team is wonderful for brainstorming! Glad you got the air conditioner fixed

[dmiller0702]

Hospice nursing is the most rewarding type of nursing I have ever done. A couple of things have helped me. First, stay close to the clouds with "silver linings". Next my religious faith teaches that mortality is the shortest part an eternal existance. I feel that a very special trust has been given to those who assist our fellow beings through a sometimes difficult, painful passage. There is a lot of hugging and crying in hospice nursing but also the realization that we have made a difference is the lives of those patients and family members we serve.

[EmptytheBoat]

The hospice experience should truly be a team approach and although you have probably been told of a team approach in each of your other nursing jobs (only to be find that is not usually the case) for you to be successful
in Hospice you will have to depend on your team. First of all, two weeks
of training with no previous hospice experience (or home health I presume)
is not adequate. Depending on circumstances, you may want to ask for more time, if not, you will definitely want to have your DON's phone number on your
speed dial and utilize it whenever you have questions/concerns.
It is most important for you to accept that you are not seeing patients to
cure/heal them, your job is to make them comfortable. You will learn how
to make them comfortable physically, just don't quit until you do,
compassion and persistance are your keys; comfort also includes social and
spiritual issues and this is where you need to depend on your teammates,
social worker and chaplain to help you and the patient. I believe the most
important member of the team is the CNA, a good Hospice CNA will make
you a good Hospice nurse, utilize and cherish them, and let them know how
important they are. Just a few suggestions to get you started, let us know
how you progress. Best wishes!

[GoLytely]

That's what bothers me, in a way I feel my patients are getting shafted because I am so inexperienced and I don't feel like I'm giving them the service they deserve. But I'm trying hard. Just makes me feel bad I can't do more for them.