hospice work schedule question

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Hello,

I am considering applying for a local hospice RN position. It would involve home visits rather than inpatient. My work history has been in the hospital where I have become quite fond of the 6 on, 8 off work schedule. I use my 8 days off to spend quality time with the family. What is your weekly work schedule like? I have heard stories of having to be available for call 24/7 and not being able to spend time with family or take long weekends. Thanks in advance for sharing your scheduling structure.

I too work in Hospice and am currently enjoying my call weekend. I do get 2 dollars for beeper pay per hour but a flat rate on the weekend based upon the number of calls/visits. We are also paid for admissions and death visits while on call. It is tough at times but also very rewarding work. I do wish we had a better back up when the lead RN is going on just a couple of hours of sleep.

Most hospice jobs are not 8-5 everyday. I do work M-F 8-5 with a call day during the week, then weekends on a rotating shift. Currently we are short nurses due to low census and are having to back up each other many weekends. I worked last weekend as back up and this is my lead call weekend. I work more than nine hours quite often and have worked many 12+ hours days, especially on call. Our office schedule the routine visits and then there are the calls for prn visits that you add to that.

I do have a friend currently in traditional home health that is working 12-16 hour days but her call is very nice, her phone rarely rings.

Good luck!

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