Any Vitas nurses here ?

[AC439]

Hi there !

I'm new to hospice and have been with Vitas for only 6-7 weeks. I am sure there are many of you also working for Vitas.

It doesn't take long for me to realize the system within Vitas is broken (I used to work in hospitals). Biggest frustration is my pt's med list never get corrected regardless of what I do. My understanding is we are switching back to Enclara but I was also told they will not maintain the med list any more. So then, what do you do to make sure meds corrections are reflected under the pt's profile ?

Also, I found myself on lots of phone calls. A call here and a call there. You are only supposed to use 047 group activity for 30 mins but certainly I spent way more than 30 mins. How do you account for those lost time ?

Thanks.

AC

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Please talk to your educator or manager about your concerns. Of course the agency has to maintain a medication list that is up to date and accurate. Perhaps there is some problem with the EHR, however, there needs to be some way of documenting.

Yes - being on the phone a lot is pretty much normal for a hospice case manager. You have to be very organized - I had phone numbers for the larger providers and nursing facilities in my phone and a hands free device for the phone. I would usually call while driving from one visit to the next MD offices or other organizations that needed updates.

I am not familiar with Vitas but read some article from 2013 that indicates that Vitas was under investigation for a variety of things.

Home hospice can be draining and I have seen a lot of people come and go because it sounds good in theory but in practice it often turns out to be not what the nurse hoped for.

Also, different things are priority in home care and a lot of stuff is not "instant" and requires waiting for this and that...

[AC439]

Thanks for reply but I really want to hear from Vitas people. Currently there is no EHR, everything is paper. Have I talked to my educator and manager ? You bet - many times! They keep telling me I have been doing a wonderful job. I know the system fails me and I am frustrated everyday.

I'm actively thinking about quitting, same reason as you stated - it is absolutely nothing close to what I hoped for !

I started around 8am today, saw my pts with some unscheduled visits. Tons of phone calls, messages, emails. Almost 5pm now and have not charted a thing.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

Thanks for reply but I really want to hear from Vitas people. Currently there is no EHR, everything is paper. Have I talked to my educator and manager ? You bet - many times! They keep telling me I have been doing a wonderful job. I know the system fails me and I am frustrated everyday.

I'm actively thinking about quitting, same reason as you stated - it is absolutely nothing close to what I hoped for !

I started around 8am today, saw my pts with some unscheduled visits. Tons of phone calls, messages, emails. Almost 5pm now and have not charted a thing.

Since you prefer to hear from nurses familiar with the company you are working for I am just going to wish you good luck with whatever you decide to do!

[AC439]

Since you prefer to hear from nurses familiar with the company you are working for I am just going to wish you good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Thanks. I just resigned and I turly believe I made the right decision.