Not sure if I should switch....

Specialties Hospice

Published

So, long story short been in healthcare 22 years now, past 7 as an RN. Most of that time has been in ER but getting burnt out just due to the "treat 'em and street 'em" mentality, even if admits! Its about how fast you can get them through most times.

As an aide years ago I use to love home health care and worked many of hospice cases. Now, I wonder if I will like it as a nurse? I was offered an on-call 7 days on and 7 off with a large company, with locations to move to if I wanted, but am nervous to leave what I know. A big shock is it pays about what I am making now in the ER!

So....for you on-call nurses that do it....do you like it? Have you stayed in it? I'm also considering PRN at a much smaller ER to do a shift a week on my weeks off.

Just want some input from those that have experienced it. Especially those who have left a unit to do so. (FYI-I'm now 41 closer to 42 and my body isn't liking the ER pace much anymore either!)

Thanks :)

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It should pay what you're making because you will work from 5 p Friday through 5 a Monday. 24/7. I love hospice but in no way would I take such a position. I'm too old and tired.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i am looking into hospice myself , been working in the hospital many years . i am getting older and can't do the 12 hour shifts anymore . i just want home health where i go see the pt's and come home. i could never do the 7 on and 7 off.. it would kill me . i hope you find the best for you , keep us posted

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I work on call and my schedule is very flexible. I used to work critical care, but I also hate 12 hour shifts. Sometimes I will have a really long on call shift, but I do not get as tired as I did working 12 hr nights in critical care.:) I love hospice!

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

That sounds killer because on call can be heavy with making viists, doing late admissions, attending deaths etc. I would not take it. I know several hospice nurses that tired just doing weekend on call.

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Having been both an on-call and case manager in hospice, on-call is definitely different and much more intense. As a case manager, a lot of the patients you see are doing fine, the visits are largely social. But on-call, you don't know the patients, everyone you see is having symptoms or getting admitted or close to death and there is a lot more stress on the part of the families. Plus there is a lot of time spent driving -- some nights I can put on 150-200 miles. And being woken up at 1 am for a call is definitely not easy on an older body. I need to be on-call now due to family obligations, and I do like it, but it doesn't capture a lot of what I love about hospice nursing.

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It isn't 24/7. I'd be on call 5:30p until 8:30a for 7 days then off for 7. Just after hour nights, days off. After the last three days I just had in the ER, Im taking it. If anything I can try something else.....one of the many perks of being in nursing! :)

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"Intense" in hospice Im sure is much different than the ER. Im sure it has it's moments, but when your juggling 2 critical patients and 1 demanding one at the same time, I'd rather drive 300 miles a night verses doing that! Staying up 12 hour nights sometimes not being able to eat, take bathroom breaks, or even sit, isn't easy either.....

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Specializes in Med/Surg & Hospice & Dialysis.

I do prn at a hospital and prn for hospice. After 12 at the hospital I'm tired and sore.

I tend to be more tired after hospice visits, but not as physically sore.

I get the best of both. The adrenalin of acute care and the 1:1 attention for hospice.

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I just recently left the ED for Palliative Care nursing--and LOVE it! For me, it was the best move ever!

Like you--I got tired of constantly thinking about turn around times and how fast I could get a pt out. I felt more like a waitress than a nurse.

In Palliative care, really speaking with patients and families is actually part of my job!

As my pt's nurse, I get to be supportive during end times--whether that's listening to them reminisce about their life, sitting with distraught family, or providing pain meds.

I make human, therapeutic connections that were totally impossible in the hurry-them-out-the-door ED. It's pretty amazing!

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