Hospice nursing- wanting to make the switch???

[carriegrn]

Hi All,

I am new to this site (well, kinda)...

I wanted to post a question, but first, a lil of my background:

I've been a R.N. for 6 years- worked in surgery, emergency room, private practice (for a research grant project thru the state), & have been working psych for the past 4 years. I have finally decided to make a change from the hospital setting due to all the ridiculosity (causing major burn- out)... have had nurse friends try to sell me on home health for a while- but I absolutely LOVED the hospice rotation in nursing school.

I have to admit, a lot of the draw to this field DOES have to do with a more 'regular' schedule. I know the word 'normal' is relative, but I have worked the ol hospital schedules- all shifts- every other weekend, holidays, blah blah blah, & the like. Honestly, I don't think I will even mind the having to be on call...

You know I could go on & on & on about how hospital nursing sucks... lol

I was just hoping for other nurses thoughts on making the change- from those who have been there especially...

Thanks,

Carrie

[westieluv]

I can only speak for myself, but I am much, much happier working as an on-call hospice nurse than I ever was working in a hospital or LTC facility. It's a completely different focus and a completely different pace. Not that we don't need to get out there and make our visits in a timely manner, but the difference is the atmosphere once you get there is completely more relaxed and I actually have time to provide comfort and information to the patients and their families, as opposed to trying to give good care while call lights are going off, doctors are calling on the phone, and ER is calling with another admission. Another thing that I love is that when I am scheduled for an overnight on-call shift I still have the entire day to do other things, as opposed to when I was working nights in the hospital and I had to try to make myself take a couple hours' nap before I went in or I was crashing by 3AM and felt like a zombie. When I am on call now, I am able to sleep for much of the shift, as long as I keep the phone right beside me where I can hear it. It feels like a luxury to me after having to force myself to stay away and on my feet all night long. And I never get drowsy behind the wheel when I do get called, because the adrenaline is pumping due to wondering what kind of situation I will find when I get to my visit, since no two are ever the same.

I can't tell you what to do, but for me it was the best career move I ever made as an RN and I plan on doing it for as long as I am a nurse.

[ErinS, BSN, RN]

Hey- you don't have to convince most hospice nurses about why the hospital sucks! Been there, done that, not going back anytime soon. Good luck to you!

[momorn]

My only nursing experience is hospice. I've been a nurse for only 8 months. My first job was case manager for a hospice company. I just recently switched to weekend on call because the hours for the case manager position were grueling, 50 to 60 hours a week. I don't think it was really my lack of experience that made the hours so long because the other nurses worked just as many hours. I asked if these hours were normal on this site and a lot of people said yes. I think it depends on the company and how much support you get from your team leader. But, I really like hospice and plan to stay the on call nurse for a long time.