Advice for new hospice nurse (previous med-surg nurse)

[1sodagirl2]

Hi there, I have been a med-surg nurse ever since I became a nurse about 7-8 years ago. I enjoy med-surg nursing, however love taking the end-of-life patients the most. I don't like how the end-of-life patients are taken care of at the hospital that I work at and recently put together comfort care standing orders and an end-of-life care folder that is in the process of being reviewed by the chief of staff. I am one of the most liked nurses at our hospital by patients and their families. However, I have always wanted to do hospice nursing. Well, I was just offered a job as a hospice nurse, and I need to accept or decline the job offer on Monday. The pay is better (which doesn't really matter to me if I enjoy what I'm doing), I have to take call one night per week and one weekend per month. My caseload will consist of 8-15 patients. I live about 1 hour from the main office but was informed most of my clients will be in MY area. I was told I only need to come to the office on Wednesdays for meetings and at least one other time during the week as long as I am able to get paperwork in on a daily basis, even fax is okay. The problem is I am a single mom and have built seniority at the hospital and have a day shift position with e.o weekend. If I quit the hospital, and things don't work out with hospice, I have to return to 3rd shift if I want to work there again and work up the ladder to first shift (which would take years). I truly believe hospice is my calling, my purpose in life but am scared I won't be able to cut-it. I have NO IDEA about the paperwork and am simply scared to step out of the comfort zone I have built at the hospital. Has anyone else been in this position? Been a med-surg nurse for awhile and then changed to hospice? Any advice is appreciated, good or bad! I believe OUR FINGERPRINTS DONT FADE FROM THE LIVES WE TOUCH and that I would be a damn good hospice nurse, but I am scared walking in and starting over, not knowing anything. PLEASE HELP ASAP, I have to decide within 2 days!

Thanks!!!

[akRN68]

The only thing I can think to say to you is that you need to do what is right for YOU. You are saying different things. one, you feel hospice is your place. your calling and then you say but........I don't know. Well, the thing is no one KNOWS from the very beginning. Being a hospice nurse is a huge challenge on a daily basis. you never know what you are walking into at times. Surprises around every corner. End of life care is unique to each person and I feel that end of life care as provided by nurses is as unique.

you have a decision to make and my hope for you is that you decide in a way that will allow you to smile on a daily basis. know that the lives you touch lasts forever for some. And sometimes you only have days to make things happen. I've had mere hours before. It is difficult and challenging but being a hospice nurse is so rewarding. I feel happy. I feel fulfilled. I am frustrated and stressed out at times as well but at the end of the day I KNOW I'm doing what I was created to do.

Post back here when you decide. Wishing you all the best no matter what. Follow your heart and do what makes you happy.

Peace to you

AK

[lesrn2005]

I left med-surg having only worked for 9 mos as a new nurse and went into Hospice nursing. Best job I've ever had! Still have it! 100% better than med-surg. You'll see - take that leap of faith.

[tencat]

Hmmm....can you stay PRN for the current facility you are in and would that count toward keeping you in a position where you could step back into the shift you need? Or maybe do part time with hospital and part time with hospice just until you know whether or not you're going to like it? Hospice is a great job....lots more autonomy, decent hours, usually get weekends off. It is hard sometimes to work for a for-profit hospice company (often they put the bottom line before the patients' needs....sigh), but the work itself is very rewarding. There is always a learning curve in any new job, but with the amount of experience you have I think you'll be ok. If you feel drawn toward hospice, go for it!

There is A LOT of paperwork. Nursing visit notes, narrative documentation notes, re-certs, admissions, etc. Once you learn how to do it, it's not so bad. But learning it is a pain. If you absolutely can't stand paperwork, then probably not the job for you.

[leslie :-D]

i would probably try and find out the turnover rate at this hospice agency.

while many of us are attracted to caring for those at eol, it is (too) often the caseloads, demands/expecations, that do us in.

if you could confirm that actual caseloads are what was promised;

if you could learn the employer is pt-focused vs $$-focused (this goes for profit and non-profit);

and if you knew the employer recognizes and supports the needs of its staff, i would say it'd be a positive move.

don't know how you'll accomplish this in 2 days, but i'll be thinking of you.:)

leslie

[rgvtex1]

Im sorry for posting so late, but I dont really get on this website, but today I was browsing it and well let me tell you...My name is Rosie, I was a med-surg nurse for 4 years, nothing big or have a big position, nevertheless a med-surg nurse. I loved my job at the hospital but there was something missing...I have always wanted to be a hospice nurse and one day, I had an interview at a hospice facility.....boy that was the best day of my life, I love being a hospice nurse. I cant tell you the fulfillment it gives me to be part of the end of my patient's lives and to be there for the family they leave behind..I can honestly say that I look at my self in the mirror and say,,,you touch that person's life, but the best part of it all is when I get my many blessings from the people I take care of, God I couldnt ask for a better feeling..so I hope you took the job, believe me, you will love yourself more for what you do and the comfort you provide for these patients is priceless... God bless you