Hospice: What You Don't Know Can Hurt

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

MsPrettyHospiceRN said:

I am a new hospice nurse of 10 months, and I am completely burned out. I love the job, but I feel like I am constantly working and have no support. Do you have any suggestions to make a career that I love be one that I can stay in without fizzling out?

I am sorry that I did not see your comment sooner! I hope you are still hanging in there with hospice. While all jobs have times of more and less stress, being "completely burned out" sounds like a situation that can't go on long term. There are two things to look at: 1. Is it your particular agency and the time/travel demands? or 2. Is it your personal work style?

The approaches to coping with the two problems is different. I hope that you can find a mentor to talk with and narrow down some of the problems to get at the root cause. I want to encourage you to keep reaching out until you feel you have a more workable situation. Don't give up!

[jeastridge, BSN, RN]

Wendy Lady said:

What does a day in the life of a hospice nurse typically look like? How much time are you spending with patients and family per visit? Is there an orientation or training period for nurses new to hospice? Thank you.

I hope you noticed that I used your idea to write a new article called, "A Day in the Life of a Hospice Nurse." Maybe it will give you more information and be helpful to you. All the best!