Checking Out Hospice Nursing

Specialties Hospice

Published

To anyone with advice,

I would like to get information and possible "spend a day" with a hospice nurse. I have been trying to contact facilities to do this and am getting no call backs at all! I have 8 years chronic pain management in office and recovery room. Do I need to take a refresher? Do I need home health experience? Why isn't anyone even answering my calls or questions when I call for an informational interview?

Help!

I would recommend applying for jobs and when you get an interview - if it is looking like a positive interview, then you should ask if you could go out with a nurse for a day. They may be thinking that they want to interview you before they allow you to go out with one of their nurses. I have had interviewees ask to go out on visits before they accepted a job and I have offered this, as I don't want someone to accept a job they are not sure about.

Thanks Geri, I'll give that a try. I just am not confident in applying if I don't even know if I have the experience for the specialty.

Thanks Geri, I'll give that a try. I just am not confident in applying if I don't even know if I have the experience for the specialty.

While I can't say for sure why you're not getting callbacks, I imagine that it has to do with privacy issues, as well as it could become burdensome if they were to get numerous "can I tag along" requests without knowing how serious someone really is.

There's no reason why you shouldn't/can't apply and if this is how you think your path will go, then give it a try.

Thanks Geri, I'll give that a try. I just am not confident in applying if I don't even know if I have the experience for the specialty.

I would think your experience in pain management would be very helpful. Many of us entered this field with very little experience. I recently hired a nurse who had not been in clinical work for 7 years and she is really working out well. I think it is really about what you feel and whether this work is what you want to do. The rest will come.

Thanks Clemmm78! - I actually did get a response today from a recruiter who will at least discuss my options with a large hospital network where I live. I guess I'll just have to keep plugging along and go ahead and apply for some of these positions.

By the way - cute dog pic! I'm a lover of doggies too.

Don't give up. We encourage ride alongs if a nurse has never done any home care especially. Good to know if it's the right thing before jumping in. Where are you in the country?

River

Thanks River and Geri G, Your words are very encouraging! By the way I am in the Chicago metro area. I really feel that Hospice would be the best way for me to help patients given my background. I really want to do work that means something to the patient. Something I can feel and see is really beneficial to the patient and their loved ones. I have read some really touching accountings of this work with the terminal patient. I feel I have the sensitivities and hopefully will gain the "rest" as I go along.

Specializes in corrections, LTC, pre-op.

Hi Guys,

Am interested in hospice. What is the way to get started ?

Thanks.

Hi Larry in Florida:

I'm in central FL too. If you just want to try it out, try doing some PRN pool work. It's a good way to see if you like hospice, and try the different areas - home care, LTC, hospice house, etc. If you're convinced you'd like it, I'd find the local hospices in your area and give them a call. And keep calling. The hospice I work for is slow in getting back to people that apply so just keeping trying! It's definitely worth it.

Good luck,

mc3

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