Hospice LPN?

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hi all,

can anyone tell my if a lpn can work in hospice? we were talking about it during a break at the hospital where i work and some thought only rn's could work hospice because of insurance reasons. i don't see why i can't work under an rn?? does anyone know about this? thanks.:redpinkhe

bluesky74

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Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

Some of the hospice facilities where I live hire LPNs. I'm not sure of what you actually do but I guess it's meds/treatments/documentation similar to a long term care facility. The RNs are case managers and the LPNs do the clinical side.

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Specializes in Hospice, Psych, LTC, WCC.

As you can tell by my moniker I am a LVN in Hospice. It depends on where you live, here in Calif. there are quite a few of us. The job I do is directly under an RN. That does not mean that she is with me all the time but rather I submit my actions to her and the doctor.

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Yes, you can work in hospice. I have sinceI got out of nursing school 5 years ago. My experience is, though, that it depends on the agency. Our hospice uses LPN's on teams very rarely (fortunately I am one of them). Most of our LPN's work as full time floats and do mostly Crisis Care cases.

mc3

:nurse:

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Yes you can work in hospice in the state i live in, they give meds, do catheter changes, dressings, work directly under the RN, its very rewarding! I do it part-time and love it! good luck! pays well too.:wink2:

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Specializes in Psych, EMS.

Yes, at least here in Texas you can. I am a Hospice volunteer and my patient has a very competant and warm nurse (LVN). Very noble job consideration. Best of Luck to you :nurse:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I don't see why you can't. LPNs work with stable patients with predictable outcomes. Not to say that the dying patient is stable, but the outcome is predictable, and comfort measures are in place, so, I can't see why an LPN would not be able to do so under the supervision of an RN. My area has lots of LPNs working with hospice care patients. I had one or two in home care. I cared for them, administered their pain meds and kept them comfortable. I hope that you can find a position at one. Good Luck!

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