Can a new graduate be a hospice RN? - page 5
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Dec 4, '12 by fireball78I finally got an interview with hospice after being a nurse for a year and a half! It's an inpatient hospice unit, not sure of the details yet, but it would be a per diem position. I am excited and nervous. I don't interview well. I just hope my passion and heart for hospice shows through. What makes me a bit nervous is that I am sick of working in a hospital environment...combative patients, restraints, bed alarms. I am going through sensory overload and so stressed that there isn't enough time to give all my patients the proper care they deserve. I believe the inpatient unit will be like a med-surg unit, but I am really really hoping that it is somewhat less stressful and I'll be able to provide more hands-on care to my patients. That is what I am really desiring. My ultimate goal is providing one on one care to patients in a non-hospital setting, but this is definitely a step in the right direction and a step closer to my dream of becoming a hospice nurse!
Thank you all for your encouragement these past few years. I so hope I get this job!! -
Dec 6, '12 by teacherturnedRNQuote from LoveThisNurseHi, LoveThisNurse - I would love to know the name of the hospice agency in California where your friend got a job as a new grad. I am also a new grad RN in California, have volunteered at a hospice agency for almost a year, and am very interested in becoming a hospice nurse. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!!!It's very possible. I know a friend who graduated with me that is RN Case Manager for a Hospice company here in CA. She got the job as a new grad and LOVES it. So it is possible. Talk about "1-2 years experience is required" from acute care is not always true. That company loves hiring new grads and they stay. I'm actually looking into hospice care because bedside nursing is not for me anymore. Been a peds acute care RN for 7 months and I'm just about done! The hustling around back and forth is a little bit much and you know what... It's OK. I have some experience in home health and when long term care... You don't have to be in acute care if you don't want to. Find out where you are comfortable and be satisfied and love what you do. =o) - Jan 1 by areenseeI wouldn't recommend it, but it is up to each hospice agency to set their own hiring practices. I had 15 years of experience in the hospital before I went to hospice, and believe me that background was extremely helpful when I was suddenly out their "on my own", doing critical assessments of patients in their homes. I was very glad for my extensive background in med-surg nursing and the years of learning concerning pathophysiology. I am very glad that I got out of hospital nursing, but I sure wouldn't want to be a hospice nurse without such a background.
I have known a couple of new grads that were hired directly into hospice, and both of them went through an extremely difficult time and neither were adequately prepared to dealing with the medical crisis at 2:00 AM. They learned and improved, but I know it wasn't the best situation to be in.
Good luck whatever you decide.