HELP! Hospice Nurses! How Many Patients Do You Have?

Specialties Hospice

Published

Hi, all. I'm new to Hospice (May 2007), and I was wondering how many patients you all have. I visit patients in their homes, and I have a caseload of fifteen patients. I'm beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed, and I feel so rushed in my race to visit everyone (lots of driving time in a rural area), that I am missing things that I shouldn't be missing (double-checking all med supply levels, basic supplies in the home, etc.) At least I don't make the same mistake twice, but it's frustrating for me and my two other fellow nurses who have to take call on nights and weekends (we all rotate weeks) and get called out because I missed something I shouldn't have. I have thought about making checklists for different situations to carry with me so I don't forget anything. If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them. Also, I have the least amount of experience in nursing (one year), but I have the biggest load of patients. Does anyone have any suggestions for approaching that issue? My fellow nurses (one of whom is the manager) are overwhelmed too, but their loads are not quite as high as mine. Right now I'm on their doo-doo list because of the mistakes I've made. I really respect the two nurses I work with and I know they really know their stuff. I just kind of feel like the dead weight of the bunch. I'm trying my best, but it doesn't feel like it's good enough. I love my job in spite of it all, and I want to be good at it. I guess I'm new enough that I can't tell if my mistakes mean I am not suited for Hospice, or if they are symptoms of being overwhelmed. Ok, this is WAY too long. If you've made it this far, thanks! Comments? Advice? Hugs?????

Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.

Hi

I work in Hospice and currently have 14 patients. I do not mind this load although normally our case load is 12 patients for full time Case Managers.

I learnt a long time ago about good time management and to see my patients I am very strict with my time.

I forward plan my weeks visits ( yes I know this can change in a heart beat or should I say lack of one LOL Sick Hospice humor there dohhh) but I try to visit the same patients on the same day every week.

If you are feeling overwhelmed chat to you Patient Care Coordinator and see if they can assist you with some of the issues.

I travel a lot of miles because I am out in mountains of VA and cover a lot of miles per day. That is the part that is exhausting me at the moment. I average 1200miles every two weeks.

Things for me will lighten when I get my LPN back from vacation.

I hope you are settling down soon because this job is awesome eh? :)

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