Hospice documentation compare to home health documentation

[PeacockMaiden]

I recently accepted a job as a home health nurse. I get paid by the visit, and I'm finding with the amount of documentation that needs to be done, and no mileage compensation, it's just not worth my time.

So now I'm looking at an interview for a hospice job and they do pay per diem by the visit too.

How's does the amount and time involved in the documentation with hospice compare to what's involved in home health?

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

It depends. If you are doing visits only the documentation is pretty simple - nursing note. If you are a case manager be prepared to write your tush off.

[PeacockMaiden]

I think the job is for a RN case manager.

So how does the documentation compare to the OASIS documentation for home care? Even the people at the home care place admitted to us newbies that no one makes money on start of care visits because the documentation is so extensive.

I was hoping it may be better at a hospice.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I have never done per visit hospice. It's kind of equivalent. But seriously, don't even think about getting away from paperwork in nursing no matter where you go. And hospice is tough - even though it's visits it is nothing like home health,

[PeacockMaiden]

I know, paper work is the bain of nursing. My previous job was in LTC, and there was the never ending paper work too.

I know hospice would be tough because you're dealing with dying patients and their families. Can you elaborate more specifically on what is tough?

And how are the visits different than home health? I know obviously the focus is on comfort care interventions and not curative, but aside from that, what is different?

I'm just trying to get a feeling about this before I go into my interview.

Thanks very much for your responses.

[NC29mom, ASN, LPN, RN]

A hospice job that pays by visit?!? Yuck!

Hospice should never ever be about QUANTITY. ...as a general rule, we spend more time with our pts as hospice encompasses the pt and their family. On average, I spend an hr at my visits. Home health is SOOOO different. ...it's in and out and most companies want you to see a minimum of 6 pts a day.

And, with hospice there's a lot more office or running time involved (IDT meetings, chasing oders/refills).

sorry...but me personally. ...I wouldn't accept a hospice job that paid by the visit. That's ridiculous.

[babyjRN]

How can you be PRN and a case manager at the same time? I would ask them to clarify that. Pay per visit as PRN, yes. As case manager, never.