Hospice Nursing

[Nurse2919]

Hello Everyone,

I've been an LVN for almost 2 years. I recently accepted a job as a Hospice nurse. I am just concerned if I made the move too fast I mean I am still a baby nurse I myself have SO much to learn and at hospice I wont be using much of clinical skills I am afraid I might loose them. Also I've been used to working in fast pace and this would be a very slow pace. I am worried if this is right place at right time.I do want to do this because I feel it is right purpose of being a nurse instead of working at rehab center and pop narcotics. PLEASE ADVISE!!!

[tewdles, RN]

What skills are you concerned about losing?... some hospice patients are complicated and require skill to care and plan for them. The pace is much slower, most of us appreciate that aspect of the work. If you have spent 2 years in med surg you likely have adequate experience to be successful in hospice. Good luck.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i am a rn in a inpatient hospice unit.....everyone has iv access of some sort...mostly piccs but we do have peripheral lines...and lately i have been accessing a lot of ports...every one gets iv pushes for comfort meds...from morphine, ativan to rubinol and versed..today i had to do a special in-service on the iv pumps they use...i use a lot more skills in the inpatient setting than i ever did in ltc.....let me clarify this is inpatient not out in the field...

hello everyone,

i've been an lvn for almost 2 years. i recently accepted a job as a hospice nurse. i am just concerned if i made the move too fast i mean i am still a baby nurse i myself have so much to learn and at hospice i wont be using much of clinical skills i am afraid i might loose them. also i've been used to working in fast pace and this would be a very slow pace. i am worried if this is right place at right time.i do want to do this because i feel it is right purpose of being a nurse instead of working at rehab center and pop narcotics. please advise!!!

[Nurse2919]

Hello Everyone.....Thanks for the replies...I just wanted to give you all an update.. I just LOVE my job!!! I can actually say its the BEST rewarding job I've ever had....I am sooo glad that I accepted this job!! it took me about 3 months to say this but its totally what I actually became a nurse for!!!! I use my skills as needed, I am able to give my best because I have 1 pt,love seeing the diffrence that I am making for my pt and thier families, our ALMOST all doc's are very nice and helpful,I get to learn something new everday from them!!THANK YOU ALL for taking the time out and replying to my post.I still have A LOT to learn..

[tewdles, RN]

Congratulations!

Welcome to hospice!

[Marshall1]

I too am wanting to move into hospice nursing tho' I am a little afraid - I've applied for a few positions on line or via web sites but have heard nothing. Have thought about writing a cover letter, attaching my resume and dropping them off directly at the hospice offices in my area - would this be a good idea?Thank you