Hospice nursing

[nurse2btracy]

I started NS last year but dropped out because I was not sure it was for me. Immediately after dropping out I realized that I may have jumped the gun. I always planned on going back after I finished up by bachelor's in sociology.

Recently, my father passed away and he was in hospice. I am thinking that hospice nursing is for me. Do employers hire hospice nurses right out of NS? If not, what type of experience is needed?

As a side note - the nurses at the hospice were FABULOUS!!!!! I aspire to be them when I graduate from NS.

Thanks

[doodlemom]

Some hospices have hired right out of nursing school or soon after - but this is not the norm or recommended. Hospice nursing takes a great deal of autonomy. You are out there with only phone support, so you have to know what you are doing. It would be recommended that you get a year of hospital experience before applying for a hospice job. Good luck - we need nurses in this field!

[aimeee, BSN, RN]

You really need experience to prepare you for all the situations that you will encounter. I don't have data to support this statement, but I am venturing a guess that green nurses who start in hospice don't last in the field. I think few hospices can give them the level of support and mentoring they would need to truly succeed on all levels without coming with a breadth of experience.

[tencat]

You need some hospital experience, not necessarily a full year, but enough to be very familiar with drugs, illnesses, and signs and symptoms. It is a great job, though.

[leslie :-D]

i started as a new grad, but on an inpatient unit.

i had tremendous support atc.

i would certainly recommend a yr of acute care in med/surg or onc before venturing into home hospice.

as other posters have stated, you are on your own w/little support.

wishing you the very best.

leslie

[nurse2btracy]

I would prefer to work at an inpatient facility rather than in-house hospice. My father was in an inpatient facility and everyone was wonderful.

[doodlemom]

We do hire new grads at our IPF and there is a lot of support.

[tencat]

Well, if you are wanting to work inpatient, then it should be ok to be a new grad as you will have support and resources. I was thinking home hospice when I answered before. As long as you have others around you that you can easily access (inpatient setting) then go for it!