Do Hospice Providers Benefit...

[westieluv]

from hiring nurses who are certified hospice and palliative care nurses?

I was just wondering because I got certified a couple of years ago when I was working in hospice full-time. I had to give up my hospice position and ended up in dialysis nursing, of all things, for the past couple of years. However, due to the fact that I miss hospice nursing and cannot work the extreme hours that acute dialysis requires, I decided to make the move back to hospice nursing a couple of months ago. I applied at three different companies and they all called me literally the day after I applied and acted really interested in hiring me. I accepted a position with one of them, which I start next week.

Anyway, I have looked for jobs in the past and never, ever had the kind of response that I got this time. I mean, the lady who hired me kept saying that she was so excited about me joining their company and was actually asking me how much money I needed to come on board, and I hadn't even mentioned that I had gotten calls from the other two companies. It felt weird having her ask me that, as you know that with most nursing positions they basically tell you how much the position pays, take it or leave it, so I told her that I would be fine with what I was currently making in dialysis, as I didn't really want to take a pay cut. She ended up offering me a little more! I have researched this company thoroughly, thinking that perhaps there was something that I didn't know, but it checks out and online employee reviews are about 90% positive.

I guess I am just overwhelmed at the response I got, and so quickly. It makes me wonder if my hospice nurse certification gave me some sort of edge, and if hospice companies possibly get some kind of perk out of hiring certified hospice nurses.

Anyway, I am excited and humbled to be returning to hospice nursing. I just hope I can meet their expectations.

[duskyjewel]

I don't know if or how they benefit, but I know my employer encourages certification heavily. They provide study materials and review classes free of charge, pay the testing fee, and pay a bonus once certification is achieved. I'm a CNA and they even push it for us. With the cost of paying for testing and awarding bonuses, I can't imagine they would pay all that if they didn't benefit somehow.

Congrats on the job!

[westieluv]

Thank you, duskyjewel!

You're right, I had forgotten that my employer at the time did offer the incentives that you listed when I got certified. It really does seem that they must get something out of it to do all that, doesn't it?

I'm just so thankful that I did it when I did, or I might still be stuck in the crazy world of 20+ hour days that is acute dialysis.

[duskyjewel]

Some of us have discussed it during slow moments on night shift, and many regard it as a marketing tool for our agency. They feel it's used to present us to the public as being of higher quality and expertise. Honestly, the public usually understands so little of inside baseball things like that, that I doubt it has much impact in that way.

However, my agency has been trying very hard to stay on top of and even anticipate regulatory changes coming down the pike. I can think of several things over the last two years where we were told, "This will be required a year from now, so we're implementing it now." I wonder if they don't expect that sometime in the future, reimbursement rates will be affected by what could be perceived as a quality indicator, much like hospitals now get reimbursed more for BSN care than ADN care*, and are trying to front-load themselves in preparation.

*I'm not saying this is right, or actually is an indicator of higher quality, just that a nurse I work with told me that it's happening.

[caliotter3]

In contrast, a hospice agency opened a new storefront office (the signage has been placed) within walking distance of my home. I have been waiting with baited breath for the office to show signs of life so I could run in and immediately apply. Nothing, nada, empty, except for the piled up junk mail at the front door mail slot. Going on four months now. I don't believe I will be visiting them should they ever open the office.

[caliotter3]

As for certification, with the clients, no impact. The only impact I have ever seen with any clients is the difference between having an RN versus an LPN/LVN to provide their care. They think they are getting more bang for "their" buck when they get an RN.

[westieluv]

As for certification, with the clients, no impact. The only impact I have ever seen with any clients is the difference between having an RN versus an LPN/LVN to provide their care. They think they are getting more bang for "their" buck when they get an RN.

I agree. It doesn't matter to them, and it really shouldn't. I think being certified is nice, but I don't believe that nurses who are certified, myself included, have more knowledge than a hospice nurse who is not certified but has lots of experience. I have been an RN for going on 25 years, and I have always believed that experience in any type of nursing is the best teacher by far. I have also seen some LPNs, in hospice and elsewhere, who have an amazing amount of knowledge and incredible bedside skills that would rival or surpass any RN I know, again, myself included. Being certified means that someone studied hard and passed an exam, but hands on experience is far more valuable, IMHO. Things that you learn just to pass an exam don't always stick with you, but things that you learn down in the trenches, so to speak, often never leave you.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

I agree that experience is really the barometer for measurement of skill....but let us not forget that many of us who do pursue certification and or advanced degrees, do so out of a passion for what we do (and I can speak for myself to say that I feel that it does bring another dimension to my practice).

[luvmypatientsRN]

What a great story.. I actually am a Hospice RN, I just moved to OC and I'm currently looking for a job. I have been thinking about getting hospice certified. I would imagine it would stand out on a resume. If anybody knows of any Hospices in the South Orange Co. area that they have had a good experience with as a employee, please let me know.

[TammyG]

According to AANC (which does not administer the CHPN certification), certified nurses report more personal growth, recognition, increased autonomy, empowerment, career advancement, increased marketability, higher self-esteem and higher financial reimbursements. But of course, they are in the business of encouraging certification. My hospice encourages and pays for the CHPN and offers a small bonus when you pass. I think our certified rate is very low. about 5%.