Hospice?

KellNY, RN · Jan 27, 2007

I worked hospice as an LPN for a little while. I'd had about 5-6mos LTC experience 1st. So it's totally possible. You could probably get a job right out of school if you looked, but I think it;s better to get LTC experience, that way you can become more comfortable with the different meds (usually cardiac and renal are very, um, 'popular' in hospice--as well as pain meds, of course) and with nursing in general.

Try to work at a facility that also does hospice, this way it might be easier to transfer services instead of looking for an all new job.

You have to be very comfortable with death, and willing and able to deal with/educate/comfort families. You also must be a strong pt advocate. It is as rewarding as it is heartbreaking.

hooterhorse · Jan 27, 2007

I was hired by a Hospice last summer, six weeks before I was scheduled to take my LPN exam to obtain a license. They hired me as an LPN, but I worked in a CNA capacity until I was able to obtain my license. Although I absolutely love my job, I realize that I am missing out on the opportunity to become proficient in many skills. So when I get my RN license this summer (hopefully), then I am looking to work part time in a hospital to polish those skills and learn more so I will be more proficient in my work as a hospice RN. I also expect to put in a few years of RN work before I attempt to become an RN Case Mangager with hospice. Working at hospice requires a great deal of autonomy...and many times there are no resources readily available. You have to be confident, knowledgable and innovative to deal with many of the situations that arise. LTC is good experience, but yet again you have limited opportunites to utilitze valuable skills. I firmly believe that all graduating nurses should "do their time" on a busy hospital Med/Surg floor.

Jean & Houdini

Coloradogrl · Jan 27, 2007

I have thought about looking for a med/surg position after school(even though it pays quite a bit less) just so I can get the experience. I am pretty lucky that I dont have to worry to much about the $$$ so I am just thinking of getting out there and getting experience. I am planning on trying to bridge over right after I finsh my LPN(my school has a bridge program there it cost alot more then other places but there is no wait sooo it would save time!)

I also have heard that even though med/surg is GREAT experience if you are bridging right after not to worry about it because you will get experience in clinicals.

MsLady06 · Jan 27, 2007

I always was interested..it seems so peaceful.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 29, 2007

I am in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Most of the continuous care hospice nurses around this area are LVNs.

midcom · Jan 31, 2007

In our area they are just starting to hire LPNs for hospice work. However, they require 2 years nursing experience.

pclpn33 · Jan 31, 2007

I started fresh out of LPN school. I love my job, sometimes I feel like a sitter, but just when I think I am not getting enough something happens and I feel like I am back in school learning something new. Sometimes resources are limited, I carry a wide variety of books with me and we always have our nurses on call. I work with a wonderful group of people whom I can call at anytime. Handling death sometimes can be trying especially if there is alot of family dyanmics, but overall there are more positives about my job than negatives. I handle Supportive Care which means I am never usually with a family more than once just for the fact I get called in near the end. But it is truly rewarding when the family comes to you afterwards and says "Thank you, I don't know what we would have done without you here".