4 months and already "burned out' any ideas?

Specialties Hospice

Published

Specializes in Home Health, Hospice.

Hi.

I have wanted to be a hospice nurse for as long as I can remember. What a privilege to assist a patient and their family experience a 'good" painfree (hopefully) death.

Unfortunately at the Hospice House that I work in, there has been quite a bit of turnoverrof management and staff, and not only are new employees not getting properly trained on the paperwork/computer, but there is a negative and hostile environment in general.

No doubt this can be an extremely rewarding career, nothing better than the hugs, tears, etc, but the toxic atmosphere and the "walking on eggshells" has me frustrated and there isn't much joy left in my heart for my profession or my patients.

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Thank you

K-

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC.

Hospice is my passion. I don't want to do anything else, so I would either find another hospice or make the best of what I had to work with.

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unfortunately, working inpatient gives anyone little chance to escape the toxicity of the environment.

i feel worst for those pts.

no matter how gentle you're acting, they are certainly sensitized to the negativities of their surroundings.

you can either bring your concerns directly to the top, citing how you fear for your pts well being, and see if anything happens.

continue with your work and see if anything changes...

if not, time to move on.

those poor people...

leslie

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Inpatient Hospice sounds like it could be really hard if the environment is toxic. Maybe even if it's not toxic. I don't think I'd like it very much. I need time to decompress by myself. My car is a great refuge for that! I like going to people's homes to care for them. I have the chance to decompress, and I don't have to deal with the 'drama' from my coworkers.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice, Home Health.

I worked for a small hospice just a few miles from my home, and struggled and prayed for 1.5 years. I sought advice on this forum, and the concensus was move on and don't look back. Wise advice that I took, moved on, and much MUCH happier now.

I work for a home hospice company that has an inpatient unit. It is run well. they ASK you if you have TIME for an admission....also they recently moved a seasoned LPN to a friday through monday 10hr day position that works great for her and her family, and works excellent for the monday-friday staff.... my phone hasn't rung at ALL since she took this position...

I stayed with the former employer because I felt as though I owed it to my patients....but it was killing me. Moving on was the best thing for me...

Things haven't changed with the former employer, but I've changed and have a real life.

Prayers go out to you to lead you on the right path. You MUST care for yourself, because if you don't take care of you, there is no YOU to care for anyone else.

linda

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Specializes in ICU,HOME HEALTH, HOSPICE, HEALTH ED.

kk2000---why not try visits in the home to hospice patients? Perhaps that would feel better and distance from some of the added politics inherent in an inpatient setting. I am not sure that I could have done inpatient work when I first came to hospice work. It takes time to learn the work, where to put the grief, etc----Commonly, there is about a year long adjustment period for most of us, even in the most supportive organization. Then, it takes ongoing self assessment to make sure you are taking care of yourself-- recognizing and responding to the possible personal issues that may be triggered along the way in this work.

If you believe this is an organizational issue, look around, move on if you find a team that fits better. But be prepared, there are layers of issues within many Hospice organizations.

When I started, I was not case managing. I did patient visits 3 days per week followed by night call coverage 3 nights per week. It was a great way to adjust at first. Overall, you spend a lot more time and get closer to patients/families emotional journey with inpatient and case management. It may be exactly where you want to be at some point, but at first, it is definitely more stressful.

You are right, it is such incredibly rewarding work. Hang in there. You sound like your heart is already attached to the work. It will help you find the answer that's right for you.

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