Hello all, I am a night ER nurse and I felt that I pretty much had enough of this crazy lifestyle, so I decided to interview for numerous case management positions including facilities and insurance companies. I actually came across hospice case manager position, and I became quite interested in things that it promises: good hours, good benefits, good pay, huge autonomy, bosses seem super cool, and not as much direct patient care compared to the ER, not as crazy like it either.
My question to you hospice specialists, is that is hospice nurse and hospice case manager different? My company is contracted to clients in home or facility (SNF, nx home, etc) and requires me to visit them. I accepted this position because I want to learn case management, not more bedside nursing or direct patient care, I already have that experience, and that is not my intention going into this. I want this to become a stepping stone experience to further my opportunity in case management, and if all I will be doing is more bedside nursing tasks, then that is not what I am looking for. What advices do you have for me? Thank you.
Lol... Rearview, I would like to agree with most of these wonderful nurses that posted in this thread. Hospice is a different kind of animal, but the main idea is the same as all other kinds of nursing... Taking care of our patients. I guess I am more forgiving as I used to work in the ICU and ER before jumping ship to being a facility nurse that is more office based than hands. I dealt with a lot of hospice and home health cases though in my facility that I was very intrigued and thought about how hard can it be. So I jumped ship again and yes, it is hard but enjoyable and fulfilling in hospice. You will never leave the hard labor part of nursing, bedside care always presents itself every visit, family and medication issues are always by the corner waiting to jump on you. But you get to be independent, manage about 10 to 20 pts a week (yes, I had 18 before... Thats was hard...esp when I had 2 actively dying ones Ive put on CC), but i do get real breaks, think independently and get home on time. I love what I am doing now... Hopefully, you will too.
Hospice nursing is community based and you will be out and about probably at least 75% of your time seeing patients at home, nursing home, or even hospital - depending on your hospice and positition.
Personally, I also do palliative care and have the privilege of doing hospice and palliative, which is a nice combination.
You will learn some care coordination and dealing with other providers - that is the case management part. And for patients in a facility you carry out the care plan. It is a different pace as opposed to the ER but it is not an insurance position.
You might still enjoy being a hospice nurse and I wish you good luck!
rearviewmirror, BSN, RN
231 Posts
thank you.