heartache of a hospice nurse...

Katnip, RN · Jan 26, 2006

If your heart is in hospice then you won't be happy in a hospital, no matter how much they pay you.

mlynn · Jan 26, 2006

If your heart is in hospice then you won't be happy in a hospital, no matter how much they pay you.

Amen! If hospice is where your heart is you will not be content in any other position. I think I can honestly say that none of us hospice nurses are in it for the money.

aimeee, BSN, RN · Jan 27, 2006

You went to prn for both in order to control your hours more and to be able to devote yourself to your family when needed? It is tough to balance family responsibilities with case management, that's for sure.

req_read · Jan 28, 2006

flamingochic,

It sounds like you are definitely smitten by hospice... you've got the bug.

Hospice is a way of life more than it is a job.

Hospice is also one of the last niches in nursing where nurses can actually practice nursing.

These factors draw nurses to hospice... which tips the scales of the laws of supply and demand in favor of hospice administrators... who know they can get away with paying less for the pick of the litter when it comes to hiring nurses.

I recently read through the 2004 GAO report on hospice. According to my calculations, in the last 7-8 years hospice per diems (income) have risen about 30%. Have nurse wages? Let me guess... h-m-m-m... NOT!

But yes... hospice is a calling. In my opinion there is nothing else in nursing that can compare, but if you've got the bug your CEO knows s/he has got you.

felixfelix · Jan 29, 2006

Life is too short not to do what you love...but you love your kids, too. Tough situation. I wish you as much insight as you need, as soon as you need it.

abnerRN · Feb 26, 2006

I for one believe we are called to hospice..follow your heart There are perdiem and prn positions at our hospice keep trying to find a way Personally for me the pay is fine, but it's the daily blessing of assisting families and patients through this life event that makes me love this

bay bay · Feb 26, 2006

I have often thought to myself: Now THIS is what I went to nursing school for! I to, have also felt it to be an honor to take care of patients at this time of their lives. As sad as the situation may be, you, as their hospice nurse, can have such an impact on your patient's (and their families) remaining time together. I think the best quality a nurse can carry, is reading nonverbal cues, and acting on them. When I arrive to a patients' house, I don't run in and wash my hands and set up my bag. I learn so much about how to plan my approach just looking at them; discretely watching their family members expression when I ask my patient how the night went, taking a mental note of how much eye contact is made, etc. As a hospice nurse, you are gifted in noticing things like this. PLUS, you have the opportunity to actually spend this kind of time with them. Not everyone can be a hospice nurse. I think the majority of hospice nurses feel a certain connection of respect for one another. For example, I was so happy to view the responses to my "angry patient" thread. It was like a sudden burst of: YEAH, I knew you guys would understand! I know I'm rambling a bit. I love hospice, and I love continuously trying to be better and better every day. I say GO FOR IT!!

leslie :-D · Feb 26, 2006

my nm has it made because she knows that i stay on extra long for each case, and that i put in hrs and hrs of overtime w/o getting paid. but if you want to do your job 100% then you need to put in this extra time. and yes, i too think it's a calling. definitely.

leslie

suebird3 · Feb 26, 2006

Follow your heart, and go with Hospice. Your post fairly says it all......

Suebird :)