career change from dialysis to hospice

[koshel]

After caring for and losing my mother to cancer I am very drawn to hospice nursing. I would like to know the positives, negatives about hospice nursing from someone working in the field.

[FLArn]

I've been a hospice nurse for 5 years and love it more everyday. There are of course the problems that are present in any job - the occasional personality clashes (both with co-workers and patients/families), at times I am tired and need a break when we have patients with symptoms that are difficult to get under control.

But I've never worked in any setting that was closer to what I thought nursing was going to be, or one that allowed nurses both autonomy and support from ALL the members of the team including the doctors.

I would suggest that you allow yourself at least 1 yr. to completely mourn your loss - before that it is very difficult to maintain a professional relationship - the loss is just too new and too raw.

I wish you peace and good luck in your Hospice journey. We can always use another nurse with a "hospice heart!":icon_hug:

[koshel]

thank you for you insights, Dec 15 will be a year, so I guess my thoughts are on the right track! I feel very encouraged!!