Hospice House - What to expect?

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Specializes in Hospice.

i have been working in a nursing home for 2years and 6months at present, i am thinking of quitting the job due to some circumstances, like short-staff, no support from the management, and etc.

There is a newly-built hospice house in the area and they are hiring Hospice House RN, I am thinking of putting an application. Nursing home was my only experience. What should I expect in working to a Hospice House? Please help me, i will be putting my application this week. Thank you

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Hi Chillceb,

I work in a Hospice House and totally Love my job! I'm not saying it is perfect, the down side has more to do with management. It can be busy. Our ratio is 1 to 4 and 1-2 Techs. We are a 16 bed facility. Some times we are full with a waiting list and other times we have less than 8 patients. It can literally change from hour to hour. The computer program we use is not the greatest and causes us grief. But our patients and their families are so very appreciative. It is very rewarding. Our patients generally come to our hospice house to either get their symptoms managed and go home or to a nursing facility with home hospice or they are in the last days of their lives.

Some ask how I can do this job. I usually explain that our goal is to help some one pass without pain, peacefully and with dignity. I get a lot of opportunities to educate both patients and their families/friends. I feel like I could go on and on. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Best of luck!

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Specializes in Hospice.

I have an interview on monday, the hospice house im applying is a brand new building that opens in April. I know it will be a different job with what i do on ltc. What do you normally do on your day? Do you have cna to do the cares?

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I worked at a hospice house. It was a mix IMO between nursing home wing and medical floor.

We had nursing asst but still had to do cares because there would only be one.

Focus is symptom management which can be difficult and family support. Many have never been with a dying person, don't know what is normal and expected and on top of it...this is their family member. So they go through all the stages of grief with us.

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Specializes in Hospice.

What's your patient ratio?

And how do you like working there?

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Specializes in Hospice, Geriatrics, Wounds.

I didn't think Medicare would pay gip rate just bc a pt was actively dying. I thought there had to be an unmanaged symptom...

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Specializes in Hospice.

They said medicare, medicaid and private insurance covers hospice

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Specializes in Hospice, Geriatrics, Wounds.
They said medicare medicaid and private insurance covers hospice[/quote']

That's correct. ....however, generally Medicare (and Medicare sets the standard as far as what Medicaid or private insurance pays) doesn't pay GIP rate just because a pt is actively dying. Will only pay GIP rate if pt is actively dying & requires nursing intervention to manage a certain symptom (terminal secretions) which couldn't be managed in the home after several attempts. They require almost hourly documentation from the hospice house or hospital explaining how symptom is being managed, why can't be done in home, and planning for discharge.

There are 4 levels of care in hospice: routine home care, continuous care, respite, and GIP (general in pt)

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.
I didn't think Medicare would pay gip rate just bc a pt was actively dying. I thought there had to be an unmanaged symptom...

Right. That was an issue I had which caused me to take a break from hospice. Multiple inappropriate admissions.

GIP admission 2am because family didn't want person to die in the home.

Uncontrolled pain because family doesn't want to give the medicine hourly or more frequently if needed.

Anyway. Ratios were 1:5-7 but frequently varied based on admissions and deaths. Sometimes I would have only 2 patients by shift change.

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Specializes in Hospice.

The place that i applied is 1:12 on NOC shift with 2 NACs.. I wonder how much hospice house pay nurses

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Specializes in Hospice, Geriatrics, Wounds.

Our company used to have 2 hospice houses. Closed both because wasn't able to break even on costs. They were strict about admitting appropriate pts though. The pts they did take did not stay long....once symptom managed or respite ended...pt was sent home back on rhc.

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Specializes in Hospice.

I got the job last thursday, and had a tour in the newly built building that i'm supposed to work, i am very happy that they are welcoming me with warm hearts.. The CEO, one of my interviewer, told me that she is thrilled to have me working for their organization.

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