What can I do to prepare for a hospice job?

Specialties Hospice

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I have been an RN for 20 years. My background is almost exclusively NICU.

For the last few years I have really had a longing to work in hospice. Unfortunately, with my specialty experience, I have never been called for an interview the multiple times I have applied at different hospices.

I recently took a pediatric home health position in the hopes that this would at least get me some experience that might be more condusive to hospice.

However, I realize that even with some home health experience, I still have not worked with the adult population in 20 years.

Has anyone out there ever made a successful transition from peds to adults? Is this even a possibility considering I have not taken care of an adult patient since nursing school?!

Is there anything else I can do to make myself a better candidate when I apply?

Specializes in LTC.

You could apply at a LTC place. They are all not bad (I work at a good one). You would certainly get adult experience and even some hospice experience. There are usually openings available, too.

Only slightly off topic...at least in my area, there are pediatric Hospice organizations in conjunction with local children's hospitals. That's something you might think about (and be uniquely qualified for), unless you have your heart set on working with adults.

You could apply at a LTC place. They are all not bad (I work at a good one). You would certainly get adult experience and even some hospice experience. There are usually openings available too.[/quote']

What do I look for in a ltc facility to know which is good or bad?

Ltc is certainly an option I hadn't considered.

Only slightly off topic...at least in my area there are pediatric Hospice organizations in conjunction with local children's hospitals. That's something you might think about (and be uniquely qualified for), unless you have your heart set on working with adults.[/quote']

I would dearly love to do pediatric hospice, but I have never seen an opening for it in all of my research.

I figured adults would be the greater need and what I would end up doing.

Or maybe consider taking an RN refresher class (ours was at the local community college). You get a med-surg refresher and a brief med-surg clinical rotation. I found it very helpful.

Or maybe consider taking an RN refresher class (ours was at the local community college). You get a med-surg refresher and a brief med-surg clinical rotation. I found it very helpful.

I looked into refresher courses in my area. They are quite expensive ($2000 +), and I'm not sure how I would manage it with my work schedule.

It is definitely something I will consider, though, if nothing else works out. Thanks.

Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

Consider doing some volunteer work for the hospice you are wooing.

That will expose you to the patients and the philosophy.

Get a copy of the algorithms and support texts that the hospice uses for the staff education and become familiar with them.

Do you know if that hospice cares for children? If not, your skill set may allow them to offer that service in the near future?

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