hospice nurse testing

Nurse Ratched, RN · Aug 8, 2005

Moving this to the hospice forum in hopes of expert advice :).

Katillac, RN · Aug 8, 2005

Just recently the hospice I work for has decided to have our staff take an exam called core curriculum for the licensed practical/vocational Hospice and Pallitive care. Has anyone taken this exam?

Can't help you with the LPN/LVN exam, but I took the RN exam from the same organization. It was challenging, I thought much more so than nursing boards, but with the study guide and the core curriculum book (both available from the HPNA, about $50 will get you both books) it was very passable. Make sure your hospice gets these books for you, other wise your efforts and their investment may be compromised.

Check out http://www.hpna.org/ for information and publications.

katwoman7755 · Aug 8, 2005

I'm guessing you are talking about the CHLPN exam? I took the CHPN exam for RN's ....the LPN exam is comparable. I agree with katillac...it was a much more difficult exam than I thought it would be, although not as difficult as boards. I know the exam has only in the last couple years been offered to LPN's. I think there's a lot of good knowledge to be obtained from preparing for the exam. Is your employer requiring that you all take the exam, or just at least go through the study process? I know the test can be a little expensive. My employer at the time would reimburse us half if we passed... and then we also would get a raise. I know the exam is only given twice a year...and not always twice at the same location. If there isn't a site within like 50 miles from you, a special site can be requested by your employer...that's what ours did...we had alot of people from within the company testing so the company paid for a special site fee, so it would be more localized. Someone within your education dept should be able to give you all the info.

Good luck.

Kathryn

aimeee, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2005

I took the CHPN (RN) exam last fall. I had 3 years experience under my belt at the time. I spent some time reviewing the study guide and the core curriculum on my own but did not take a review class. I passed without difficulty. If you know the hospice regs and know your symptom management and have general good sense, you should do fine.

Ashera, LPN · Aug 10, 2005

I'm an LVN and registered to take the exam on Sept 17 - which is held all over the country on the same day. I've got both the core curriculum book and the study guide specifically for LV/LPN's - and will review each.

Spoke with an LVN two days ago - at a hospice - who said it was very hard for her - but said she had trouble with reading/studying anyway - but she passed.

As an LVN - who is moving and trying to seek out hospices in the Hill Country, I'm hoping that with the CHPLN behind my name - my credibility as a hospice nurse will be enhanced with those hospices that say "we don't use LVN's" and then have gone on to say they don't know why. I'm working hospice in a large city now - and wanting to relocate to a smaller area and those hospices do not utilize LVN's - yet in another large city an hour away - they do.

Good luck!

leopold · Aug 10, 2005

I would like to work in hospice when I complete my LPN and am wondering if I should take that test before applying or if you can get in without it. The hospice in my area does take LPNs.

Ashera, LPN · Aug 10, 2005

I would like to work in hospice when I complete my LPN and am wondering if I should take that test before applying or if you can get in without it. The hospice in my area does take LPNs.

You should join the Hospice and Paliative Care Nurses Association -

Hospice is not a type of nursing to go directly from school in to - and most hospices would not consider a new grad. They exam itself recommends at least a 2 year background in hospice work before attempting the exam. And most hospices will want you to have a solid med-surg background before hiring you.There's just too much you would need to have as far as hand's on experience to understand.

But by all means - contact the hospices in your area to see if you can perhaps get some experience before you tackle something like the exam.

It's a very rewarding and fascinating field - Good luck!

katwoman7755 · Aug 10, 2005

I would like to work in hospice when I complete my LPN and am wondering if I should take that test before applying or if you can get in without it. The hospice in my area does take LPNs.

You should definitely have some experience before taking the exam....becoming certified in something means that you have gained a certain level of knowledge and expertice in that area.

Kathryn RN CHPN