Hospice nursing for a nurse with depression and anxiety....mistake???

[NurseFries]

Hi,

I have been offered a position as a hospice home health nurse. The agency said they will provide me with 1 month training where I will be paired with an experienced hospice field nurse.

I have only been a RN for 2 years. I have worked in home health for most of it, but have not been working for 6 months d/t relocation and traveling.

I had a couple of hospice private duty cases in the past and I really enjoyed it. It was very rewarding to provide comfort care and support to the families. My new position will be as a visiting nurse/case manager.

I know there is a big difference between private duty and case managing b/c I have done both.

I have depression/anxiety and I am being treated for it. I am worried my depression and anxiety will exacerbate while being a hospice nurse.

I know hospice is sad, but it can also be very rewarding. I also know there will be steep learning curve since I do not have a lot of experience with terminally ill patients or case management.

Do any hospice nurses suffer from depression and/or anxiety, but are not affected by hospice care?

Is this the wrong specialty to go into for a RN with only 2 years experience with depression and anxiety?

Thanks!

[NurseFries, BSN, RN]

I am sorry . I felt the same way during my clinical rotations at the LTC's. I learned from it and do not apply to them. I hope you feel better soon.

[T_Sage]

I think it depends on which hospice you work for and the demands placed by each individual organization. I worked for a great company who did things the right way, always, but the demands doing home visits (houses, SNF's, assisted living facilities...) were intense and my anxiety was extreme. I wish you all the best in wherever you "land".

[pfeliks]

FWIW, I have never thought of my job as a Hospice Nurse to be particularly sad.

[alexis.mccain]

I was a CNA for a Hospice. I truly do not recommend that anyone with anxiety or depression does this job. I completely respect anyone that can do this job. The work you do is extremely important and it changes lives. I imagine you would see a lot of disturbing things anywhere in nursing, but I am still trying to work through what I witnessed and experienced on a daily basis. I may be the minority here, but if I could go back in time, I would not have taken the job. I don't think I will ever be the same. I went into the job very hopeful and I felt like I had something to give. I am 23 years old and it truly took the life out of my eyes. I am sorry to share that. I hope i'll get better. I feel that it's very important to warn people.