Hospice volunteerism and nursing

[kk2000]

hi,

I am a PN student who will be graduating in December. I plan on taking a little time off and then going on for my RN. (I am an older student, must work soon!)

The hospices in my area do hire LPN's for their Hospice houses as well as home and hospital visits.

My question:I have signed up to attend volunteer training to work with the pts and families . Will this assist me in finding employment with Hospice? i have wanted to volunteer for some time, and finally decided to do it, as I am on the homestretch with school.

When should I actually approach them about a job?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

K-

[doodlemom]

I'm not sure if being a volunteer will help you get a nursing job later on, but it couldn't hurt! I always encourage nurses to get Med Surg experience before coming to hospice, but we recently hired a case manager right out of school and admittedly she has been doing a pretty good job. If the inpatient facility would hire you right out of LVN school, you would have a great deal more clinical support than if you were to go into home care. When you're in home care, you're out on your own with little support. Good luck.