when to begin my job search?

KatieBell · Sep 25, 2005

Firstly :balloons: COngratulations on finishing your program in December!

I am unsure if as a new grad you will find many hospitals that want to orient someone for part time work, but it is a possibility.

Most Agencies require you to have at least one year of nursing experience before they will consider you.

I would start to call the hospitals now, and discuss with them your interest. They might have a unit that is designated medical-surgical, but is more oncology, where you would have a lot of interaction with the types of patients you would be working with in Hospice. (our hospital actually has a "hospice unit" seems out of line with the hospice philosophy, but it is for patients who don't have a lot of support, had no home, etc...and it is much more home like and comfortable than the typical hospital room) Understanding the hospital part before the patient gets to the hospice stage could be helpful to you as a hospice nurse.I think would be more interesting to you than a regular med/surg floor.

So, yes, starting to look now, since you have a very specific interest, is probably a good way to go about things. Also discuss it with your professors at school- some of them probably moonlight at these places, and might know of a good way for you to do exactly what you want to do right away!!!! CALL the recruiters, don't just submit an on line application.

Again, Congratulations- and you have all my respect as someone interested in home health. I did it as a CNA and found I just couldn't stand going into some of the houses they sent me too (did you know, some bugs can actually live in freezers!)

kk2000 · Sep 25, 2005

Firstly :balloons: COngratulations on finishing your program in December!
I am unsure if as a new grad you will find many hospitals that want to orient someone for part time work, but it is a possibility.
Most Agencies require you to have at least one year of nursing experience before they will consider you.
I would start to call the hospitals now, and discuss with them your interest. They might have a unit that is designated medical-surgical, but is more oncology, where you would have a lot of interaction with the types of patients you would be working with in Hospice. (our hospital actually has a "hospice unit" seems out of line with the hospice philosophy, but it is for patients who don't have a lot of support, had no home, etc...and it is much more home like and comfortable than the typical hospital room) Understanding the hospital part before the patient gets to the hospice stage could be helpful to you as a hospice nurse.I think would be more interesting to you than a regular med/surg floor.
So, yes, starting to look now, since you have a very specific interest, is probably a good way to go about things. Also discuss it with your professors at school- some of them probably moonlight at these places, and might know of a good way for you to do exactly what you want to do right away!!!! CALL the recruiters, don't just submit an on line application.
Again, Congratulations- and you have all my respect as someone interested in home health. I did it as a CNA and found I just couldn't stand going into some of the houses they sent me too (did you know, some bugs can actually live in freezers!)

Thanks, KatieBell, good advice!

KatieBell · Sep 27, 2005

Good Luck with your job search!!!

And don't forget, some hospitals have very generous education benefits for getting your RN...