[BeExcellent]

The hospice i work for gives 4 weeks PTO and we NEED it. I can feel my skin tighten and than I know it is time for a week off. i also remember the Serenity Prayer and try to change only what i can. Many, many years ago and in a far away galaxy..o u know the story. When hospice first started we were challeged to use ourselves as comfort. If someone didn't want VS taken okay then I'll play them Dean Martin and we will sing the Pizza Pie in U Eye Song. The worst of the crabby patties will often soften to a hand or foot massage. Buy some rose oil and mix with baby oil and tell them u are going to use this beautiful oil on them. Let them smell it. Hum Cay Sa ra or what every 1950 song strikes you. Give them the dignity of choice. Somedays they don't choose US! I empathize with all your challenges. Don't forget u have a team with you. I don't mind grumpy docs or NP's (old hospice nurses are made of rubber) but if I think that I can't get the orders I NEED to provide comfort for a pt i ask my medical director to make a doc to doc call. Facilities, I feel sorry for everyone and bring them candy. Staff is overworked and underpaid and management over-regulated. I highly recommend Hersey's dark chocolate and call it medicine. O and my life's not easy. I cry when I see a face sheet on a new pt without errors. What a BEAUTIFUL sight.

[aimeee]

BeExcellent, I love your post! So full of truth!

[doodlemom]

Me too!

[earle58]

and me three!!
i think many of us smiled knowingly at be excellents' post.

[river1951]

Be excellent is...
Also, must watch out for self if patients are kept on despite not declining. This could hurt you down the road, we are always responsible for our own practice, and we should know eligibility. Hard to swim upstream, but you're so obviously not alone, it's gotta help.