Questions about hospice

[Genista]

Hello. I'm an experienced palliative care nurse/CHPN (inpatient) and wanting to move into hospice nursing. I have applied to some local hospice positions, but I know it is a little different role than inpatient palliative care/end of life care. Can you tell me what a re-visit RN does? How many patients is reasonable for a "case manager?" What sort of orientation would a new hospice nurse expect? What questions would you ask of a potential employer? I am really excited about making the transition, and my heart is telling me it will be a good match, if I can find a reasonable work schedule/pay. I have only done inpatient nursing, so it will be very different, but hopefully in a good way.Also- I have two small children, so being on call won't work for me. Though, I hear not all hospice RNs take call?? Thanks for any advice you may have! I am both excited and nervous!

[tewdles, RN]

Sometimes you can get into a job and negotiate a reduction of hours after 6 months...

[Genista, BSN, RN]

Thanks. In my heart, I feel like hospice is the place I want to be. I just put in an application for a 32 hr/week case manager position to a local hospice, but it's variable shifts, and it's more hours than I want to work (I want less because of my young kids at home). I feel stuck because I have been looking for over a year now and can't seem to find a job that works for my family. I am getting so burned out on med/surg, and am overdue to try something new (have been for some time). I don't know if I can stand another 6 mos- year on med/surg while I wait for a job that may or may not materialize. I might move into another area of nursing for now, but I still dream of working for hospice. Well, we'll see what happens. If I can't secure a position now, maybe I can try per diem later. It's such a tough job market here! Thanks for all the positive feedback. I so admire the work that you do.

[MissIt]

Are there any inpatient hospice units in your area? Maybe working part time or prn at one of those might help you get your foot in the door with a company? Then you would be the internal candidate taking the job!

[Alvindudley]

wow--that consideration of patient acuity is HUGE. I am a CM and I am on my way to having a full caseload of 10--now I have 7 and one patient in transition or a pain crisis can destroy your whole day! I feel like I shortchange my more stable patients--and sometines I get handed an absolute trainwreck of a patient and I don't have the time to get a handle on them and that's bad too. I like when I was a float and saw other people's cases. We have an LPN who does that--he's amazing--saved my butt the other day during a "poopstorm"....

[Genista, BSN, RN]

Thanks Tewdles. I think this is a nice organization to work for, but sadly, I don't think my family can afford me taking the the pay cut right now. It is good to know what is a reasonable work load, though. I appreciate the replies. I might look into casual pool or per diem hospice opportunities if I can't find a part time permanent position.