[photorn]

I have been a Labor and Delivery nurse for 18 years. I am really burning out in this field and need to make a change.

My father had Hospice after he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma about 12 years ago. I also lost my 8 wk old daughter 5 years ago to a brain tumor and we had Hospice care during her short life. They were wonderful. I am a Christian and have been feeling that maybe this is an area where God could use me and I could help these patients and their families.

My worries are in L&D the drugs we use are quite limited. So where do I start to get myself educated in the drugs commonly used to control pain. Plus any other drugs that might be used.

What skills do you need that possibly are skills I have not used in my department?

I guess I am a little anxious changing jobs after all these years and am worried about not having the right skills to change. Do they give you good training so you are not feeling overwhelmed?

Thanks for any input

[doodlemom]

Welcome to Hospice nursing! Surprisingly enough, a great deal of old L and D nurses come into hospice. In a way, it is a related experience. We are saying good bye on this side while someone else is saying hello on the other. You will learn all about the drugs once you start wroking. No one knows the drugs until they actually become a hospice nurse. I have used a book called symptom management algorithms - a handbook for palliative care, which I think is very helpful when you first start. Hopefully you'll get a good orientation. Good Luck

[lesrn2005]

hey doodlemom! Can you tell me any info on symptom management algorithym? author? isbn? thanks, sounds like a book I would be interested in.

[doodlemom]

It is by Linda Wrede-Seaman, MD. ISBN 1-888411-07-04