[lovely42]

I've been a hospice nurse for three and a half years now and I want to try something else. I've enjoyed my hospice nursing career and it has indeed been rewarding but it's time for a change. Any suggestions about what I should do next after hospice nursing? Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. lovely42

[shrinky]

I think you need to ask yourself many questions about your decision to change to another type of nursing. Hospital nursing is very different from Hospice in home care. Your patient load will be very different and you will have to deal with all of them at one time instead of one on one and that can be stressful. What did you enjoy about Hospcie and what did you not like? What about hours of work, salary, benefits and etc. You need to search yourself to discover what you want to do form here. Have been a Hospice nurse for 7 years and a nurse for over 40 and I will stay here until I retire because this is where my heart is and there is no other nursing job that will give me the fullfillment I have in Hospice. Good luck in yor search.

[Second]

Whatever area of nursing you decide upon, you must make sure you have a good orientation to regain skills that we just don't use in hospice. I have known other nurses who have gone from Hospice to OBGYN. I think it must be wonderful to provide care both at the beginning and end of life.. The care you give to your hospice patients is holistic and emotionally supportive. Laboring moms need just the same thing. Something to think about. S

[Passion for the Job]

There isn't a right answer there. I have been a nurse for 14 years, and 7 of the years in hospice. I worked med/surg before also. I would never go back to the floors, and I would not want to a nursing home. If I had to leave, I would probably work in OB or ER, but I will stay in Hospice until I retire. This is my passion~I will not give it up even with all of the politics, mgmt wanting more visits out of us, the "national avg" we are trying to stay to.

[aimeee]

I think we need to know more about your reason for wanting to do "something else". What need is not being met?