What makes you love hospice?

Specialties Hospice

Published

You are reading page 3 of What makes you love hospice?

Sabby_NC

983 Posts

Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.
Hi. First time doing this.... I'm a fairly new RN, graduated May 07. I wanted to do Hospice from the beginning of nursing school. Boy, did that get me some strange looks from other students. Anyway, I finally landed a hospice case manager position in June. It's been very rewarding but also trying at times. When I started with this fairly new company our census was about 22. We are now at 42! I've really had to fly by the seat of my pants at times, but our manager is great and very supportive even when I screw up.

The best part is finally having the time to actually spend with my patients and their families. I HATED the rush on the hospital floor where I spent my first year of nursing. Doing home visits is so much more satisfying, not to mention much easier on the body. No more 12 hour shifts on your feet!

I've always felt called to help people deal with issues at the end of life. Wierd, maybe. I've dealt with my own share of loss, so maybe that's where it all stems from. I love what I'm doing now, and wouldn't trade if for anything. We only have to take call one night a week, so that's not TOO bad. No weekends. The paperwork sucks. I would rather have a laptop.

I feel very blessed to get to do what I'm doing, and thankful for the manager that gave me a chance.

That is awesome Glory and I am so pleased you are enjoying Hospice Nursing.

I have been a Case Manager now for over 5 years and love it very much.

Keep up the good work my dear :D

GloryB

15 Posts

Specializes in Hospice/palliative care.

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!:loveya:

GmaC13

12 Posts

Specializes in Home Health, Hospice, Wound Care.

Hospice is the best nursing I have ever done. What other job allows you to go out and help people with thier dying wish. Recently I had the honor to help one of my pt get married. We actually performed a marriage ceremony in thier home. Our hospice chaplin did the service. My sister (she is an RN working in the same office) and I were the witnesses. Our secratary took pictures. This wasn't really nursing but it surely contributed to this pts emotional and spiritial well being. It was so wonderful to push to get this done and be a part of it. We hospice nurses are truely privaliged to share in the pt's most intamate moments. PS I get the best of both worlds because I work in a small agency that does both HH and Hospice. Great balance and satisfaction. I love the work I do.

GloryB

15 Posts

Specializes in Hospice/palliative care.

Ok guys... help. I'm new to home health/hospice nursing. We do daily iterneraries for our hours, and are paid by the hour. I have been arguing with my manager for two weeks about overtime pay, and found this morning that she STILL has not paid me the correct amount for the hours I worked the first two weeks of August. I also discovered that my last paycheck is short. The company owes me about $500 right now. I don't want to alinate my manager, but I'm very frustrated about having to fight with her about my pay. Our organization has doubled it's census since I started, with no increase in clinical support, so the overtime is unavoidable. Any ideas? I'm very non confrentational!

:confused:

finn11707

141 Posts

Specializes in ICU,HOME HEALTH, HOSPICE, HEALTH ED.

GloryB--could't help respond to your name! as my mom was Gloria -always 'Glory' to dad and last name begins with B!-----

You are finding what most of us find in the home setting nursing---often lots of overtime, given the nature of the job, and an overt or covert management message to us to not incur any overtime. I repeatedly had some tough assignments for quite a period of time--many comments on this from peers and management in team...but when I put in for the overtime, remarks of "time management" problems came from my manager. It is an ongoing battle where I work. Many of the nurses, unfortunately, feel they would rather give the time away than argue about it. Also, that they love the work so much...

It is a no win if everyone is not on the same page and helping to keep managers clear-- about both that the needs of our patients drive our work and that overtime will happen if the system does not have a built in plan/cushion for juggling ensuing crisis with patients and families.

PS we went to laptop at 2 organizations where I have worked. Laptops don't save time unfortuneatly.

NurseAlwaysNForever

3 Articles; 129 Posts

Specializes in Hospice, LTC.

I am an LPN in Texas. We are not allowed to pronounce in the same way that an RN can. We pronounce via proxy. Which means we call the MD with our assessment findings and receive the time of death from him.

nursecrk

8 Posts

What? Hospice can be laid back? I think I am working for the wrong company! My work life is crazy. I am also expected to be avail from 8:30-5 M-F, work every 4th weekend and pick up Evening/night call shift. We use laptops and I LOVE them, but I hate paperwork. I type much faster than I write plus with the laptops you get internet access and medispan so you have info at your fingertips. Also you can chart and send the info out right away so no running into the office. I am only in the office about once a week which is nice.

I haven't ever done homecare, but I have friends who do and it sounds like they are always "putting out fires" so to speak and not getting anything done.

+ Add a Comment