So frustrated!

toomuchbaloney · Sep 26, 2014

First off, welcome to hospice! It is a very rewarding practice and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Get out the employment contract or agreement that was offered to you and which you signed. Does it outline how you will be paid? Does it mention mileage? If that compensation is in writing they may not change it without your consent.

Are they working you more than 40 hours? Are you exempt?

In my view, you are the one who must decide where to put your foot down and there are no guarantees that you won't be fired. However, it is difficult to work long term for an employer who micromanages the hospice field professionals, in my experience.

Why would you have to make two trips for comfort meds? If the patient/family says no to visit it doesn't matter what the owner of agency wants.

Personally, I would make certain to work ONLY 40 or fewer hours/wk. I would gladly drive for hours while they pay me my RN salary, I have a great stereo in the truck! While that is not very fulfilling work it does pay well...drive an hour to have visit refused, drive an hour back all because owner is dumb = easy money with little professional risk and minimal paperwork.

7 patients total won't even provide enough work to keep one RN FTE busy in hospice.

Kerber · Sep 27, 2014

I didn't get a copy of a contract I do know we get paid milage for anything over 16 miles out town. It states that. I probably get my feet wet 6-12 months and find sanother agency

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2014

She may want to do 'pro bono' but you should not be required to. If you get paid mileage, she can not require you drive 45 minutes and not pay mileage simply because 'census' is down.

toomuchbaloney · Sep 27, 2014

I didn't get a copy of a contract I do know we get paid milage for anything over 16 miles out town. It states that. I probably get my feet wet 6-12 months and find sanother agency

If I were you I would be asking to have a copy of what they have on file for my employment, everything that speaks to hours, work conditions, performance expectations, etc. Ask to see your HR and payroll documents and get copies of them.

It is quite correct that a pro bono case DOES NOT mean that the staff caring for the non-paying patient don't get paid.

It does sound like this is a good place to have as employment history rather than as current employment, sort of like an ex-wife.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2014

This employer seems very unprofessional. I work for a small, family owned hospice company too, and in a million years I couldn't imagine them having these expectations. They have expectations clearly written, and we can 'volunteer' to do unpaid things (like calling a death on a patient after hours rather than allowing the scheduled triage nurse doing it).

Further, our medications are delivered to our patients, we are not expected to pick them up and deliver!

When we did our community clinical in nursing school, I learned that not all home health was considered equal, and that with the lax regulations there were many not so 'on the up and up' companies out there. I fear you might be working for one of those companies. With hospice, the patients deserve a company that is truly there to serve them.

Kerber · Sep 27, 2014

I hate to quit I wanted to get my feet wet more before I look elsewhere know what mean? Previously I worked 14 yrs with our local catholic hospital. It's only been month at this company. My goal is to do 6 mos and look for another company. I love our DON but the owner micromanages. Our pharmacy won't deliver to out of town patients. This pro bono patient live way out in county 45 mins from city. I will ask for my contract Monday! I worked Labor Day but didn't get holiday pay maybe cause I salary?? Ave 30 hrs week working I am making more money then I was in hospital I had 14 yrs there!

caliotter3 · Sep 27, 2014

In a nutshell, if the family said to come on Monday, I would call to confirm with them that they want you to come on Monday, and then comply with their wishes, in order to preclude them telling you to jump off a cliff because your employer does not want to follow their wishes. There are several ways to lose business and it sounds like the previous DON got fed up with being involved with a losing proposition. Take heed.

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2014

I know you don't want to quit, so get your six months but put feelers out there for other companies.. or perhaps you can have a conversation with your owner?

Kerber · Sep 28, 2014

I feel I just need to vent. For the most part I get along with owner she is very knowledgable but at times I feel she puts money before patients. I also feel she expects more from me. She has gave me great praise already that I am very calm person and I can calm anxious family members down probably due to my previous psych experience! I am also more faster at admissions then the other RN. So she gives me more patients. Right now I have 5 patients and other RN had 2. Your right I need to have a talk with her and I will do that. I am greatful to find hospice I really enjoy it!! The best part is sitting and visiting with my patients. I actually feel like I am making a difference. In psych it was different they were either court ordered to involuntary ordered to inpatient and they didn't want help. I can't tell you how any times I was cussed at called every name in book, charged at, spit on or had someone try to hit me!!

lifelearningrn, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2014

I am greatful to find hospice I really enjoy it!! The best part is sitting and visiting with my patients. I actually feel like I am making a difference.

This is exactly how I feel! I have never worked psych, but in LTC I hated that I never really had time to just sit and hold my patient's hand! I love that I get to help my patient's on this very basic level of care! :)