hospice nurse as 1st job?

[carleah]

Greetings. This is my first post. I am currently a new RN.

Recently,I joined a program thru VNS called transition to Home Health Nursing. It was designed for LPN's but I actually graduated as an RN With ADN and passed my boards before I completed the course. Now they are trying to find a position for me. So far, per diem home hospice is the option since I have only one yr. of LPN experience in a skilled nursing pavilion. I can of course go the usual route of hospital nursing for one yr and then return to home health with other options. I think I can do hospice nursing, but I would have to start out as per diem. I am a second career nurse that would like to have a manageable stress level (is that possible in nursing?).

I would love feedback. Thanks, Carleah: confused:

[Wren]

Carleah,

Congratulations on your career changes! It sounds like you have a lot of opportunities and several possible directions.

I have to admit though that I shuddered when I thought of Hospice as a first job not because you CAN'T do it, but it will just be harder for you than if you have a bit of experience. In the hospital you can always ask someone else to look at something you are not sure about or help you with a task or assessment.

When you are in the home without backup it can be a bit overwhelming. If your agency had a long mentoring or training program, you might be able to gain enough experience to do this. But it sounds like per-diem is your primary option at the moment. So you can always give it a try and see how it goes. You have had a year in a skilled nursing pavillion and depending on what you got to do there, that may be enough. Especially if you are willing to read everything you can get your hands on about managing pain and symptoms.

My personality is such that I always figure, what the heck...give it try. Brain surgery? Sure, just let me read that chapter first. This view of the world can get you in over your head but I figure per-diem is per diem. If you hate it or find it overwhelming, you can refuse other cases.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!:)

[carleah]

Thanks Wren for your reply. I still haven't made a decision yet. I am counting my blessings in that at least I have several options. I actually have 4 jobs to choose from! I will be talking to them at VNS tomorrow and see what they have to say. I've already had time invested in the transition program, so I would hate to let that go to waste. About reading books, I guess you know my personality! Although I admit reading and hands on experience are not the same thing. So in the end, I agree that I will give it a try. They said I could go along on some visits to see what it involves. I must say, I expect to get a lot of information by reading threads from this forum!

I'm glad I found you!

Sincerely, Carleah