How Hard Is It To Get In TO Hospice Nursing?

tencat · Mar 24, 2009

I got into it after 8 months of med/surg. I've been at it for two years now. If you have good orientation and training, I don't think it's unreasonable to try to go for it at this stage. In some ways I wished I had more experience, but I felt that I had enough resources available to get the information I need/needed. I think the company was more willing to hire me with less experience because nursing was a second career for me, and I had some skills that meshed well with hospice. It is a very difficult job, and you have got to have backup and resources available to you when you are new to it, especially with little nursing experience. Inpatient hospice might be a better place to start, and then go to home care. Hope that helps.

thekid · Mar 25, 2009

I got into it as a new RN grad but this was many years ago, and I worked part time only. After only a few months my husband was transferred to Colorado and I picked up another part time job quite fast. I think what helped me (other than a favorable economy at the time) is that I interview well and am enthusiastic about the job..the nurse recruiter could see that and gave me a chance. Of all the places I have worked so far, hospice has been the best. Good luck to you, it's very rewarding work. :redpinkhe

pammyf · Mar 28, 2009

Our hospice will not hire a new grad with less than 1 year. I have been a hospice nurse for 12 years. My experience is that without a good year or 2 of full time nursing your skill level may still be a little shaky. A good hospice nurse needs not fear her own assessment skills since your role is independent. But if you are a fast learner and feel confident and want to do hospice go for it. It is a wonderful job

riverwink · Apr 6, 2009

Bonnie I worked as an ICU nurse for 3 years before becoming a hospice nurse. I hated waiting because hospice is where my heart is. I really don't feel 10 months experience is quite enough. Try to get at least 1 1/2 years of ICU behind you as it really helps when you are out in the field alone. You won't regret having that extra time to hone your assessment skills. And I agree that interviewing with a positive and cheerful attitude will take you far when you do interview. Best of luck.

jerseyRN · Apr 6, 2009

I started in hospice with a year of subacute/LTC, and have been at the same hospice 7 years now. My year's experience helped me and so did my first year working a per-diem at hospice (I got to see and do everything). Try to find a good mentor at the hospice, and go for it!

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Apr 6, 2009

Ten -- Your interview and other skills / experiences will weigh heavily.

Good luck!

AtlantaRN, RN · Apr 29, 2009

I was a med surg nurse for 9 yrs, then critical care 2 years, then transitioned into hospice nursing. My company won't hire someone with less than 2 years hospital nursing. Even then, you must be precepted by a seasoned nurse.

Even after 13 years of nursing, I will still rely on my co-nurses on difficult cases.

no nurse is an island. linda

KateRN1 · Apr 29, 2009

ITA that no nurse is an island, but in any kind of home health position, you are out there mostly alone. You will always have your coworkers to discuss situations with during case conference and your resource people if you have a protocol question. But when you are out in the field, it's just you and the patient (and family). Your assessment skills, your clinical judgment skills, your communication skills, all have to be above par. If there are other skills in your previous working life that mesh well with hospice and home care, then you are ahead of the game. However, you're not a nurse 'til you're a nurse, ya know? It's an awesome responsibility and my personal feeling is that you need to have some solid experience as an acute-care nurse first. It's not about cure vs. palliation, it's more about getting comfortable in your nursing skin. You have to be assertive yet gentle, learn how to read people and develop the instincts to know what they're ready to hear (or not). You have to learn to walk that fine line bwetween patients, doctors, family members. You have to learn to supervise CNAs and LPNs and other nurses.

I've been a nurse for ten years, and in that time I've done a little bit of everything. I've done LTC, cardiac tele, agency staffing relief, nursing education, dialysis. I am just now getting started as a hospice nurse, although it's something I've wanted to do for a long time. Years ago, I shadowed a hospice nurse for a case management assignment and was amazed at all the hats she wore in a week. The responsibility was overwhelming and she had the most amazing attitude, totally humble about being allowed to participate in a family's life that way. I hope that I can be as good as she was.

JNF RN · Apr 30, 2009

I started in hospice after one year acute care experience. My goal from the start was to be a hospice nurse. If your agency gives you a good preceptor and does not just throw you out into the field you will probably do fine. When going form acute care to hospice care you have to change your mind set when establishing a plan of care. The goals are different. You have to be able to give 100% to your patients while keeping good boundaries and taking care of yourself at the same time. Hospice nursing is not for everyone. If it is your niche you will know before too long. Go for it. Good luck.

marachne · May 2, 2009

I do agree that it is the very rare person who can go directly into hospice nursing as a new grad. I do wish to humbly disagree that the prior experience has to be in acute care nursing. I think, depending on the setting that a lot of the skills you need for hospice can be gained working in LTC. You become used to working with families as well as patients, communication, assessment, coordinating others efforts, making do with what you have, working with a population that often has multiple issues (not just physical either).

I have never worked in the acute care setting. I did a final rotation in my accelerated bac program in ICU -- 360 hours in 10 weeks. I think that gave me a boost on some of the skills that are part of nursing, but it is my years in a VA long-term care that gott me comfortable in my "nursing skin."