How much experience should I get before getting into Hospice?

Hospice was my first job as an LPN while going to RN classes. No experience at all. If this is what you want to do, jump in! I was scared to death for my first few shifts, then when it clicked, I loved it. Talk to your hospice nurse recruiter, or director of nursing, or whoever is in charge of nursing. If you want to volunteer first, usually that is an option. I loved it way more than LTC. I worked in a 12 bed care center. There were always 2 nurses on (at least one RN, and then an LPN or an RN). There were 2 CNA's on duty, so I always worked with one CNA, no "disappearing" CNA's!!!!! I had anywhere from 1 to 6 patients and had time for lots of 1 on 1 care with the patients and their families.

Mariahas4kids: Hospice was your first job as an LPN? Wow, I think that's wonderful. I went to nursing school (LPN) specifically to work in hospice. I volunteered for a while but now my situation's not so great, I haven't worked much at all since getting my license in 2006. Good luck to you, AddieRN, maybe you should just go for hospice care now and see what happens, especially if you feel such a calling.

to do home hospice, you really should have minimum 1 yr exp in acute care.

you're on your own with lots of autonomy and using your assessment skills.

if it's inpatient, go for it now.

there are mgrs who will hire new grads, based on their enthusiasm for hospice.

and, someone is there as a resource atc.

best of everything.

leslie

Well the facility I wish to start out in is inpatient, though we do have an outpatient facility in my county. I kinda wanted to use LTC experience as my foot in the door, seeing that I'll deal with a lot of skilled patients. Do they hire mainly LPNs in inpatient facilities? Just wondering what my chances are of snatching an inpatient job. I started out as a new grad on a cardiac unit :uhoh21: and realized it wasn't for me. Hospice or oncology was something I was always drawn too. My husband's grandmother recently passed away, and she had hospice. Just being there for her, and taking care of her during that time really made me realize what my true passion was. It takes a special heart to do hospice. My mom knows a lady who is kind of over the hospice home here where I live. She pretty much suggested I have a year - 2 years experience first. I'm fine either way. At least with a little skilled nursing experience, I wouldn't be jumping into hospice and getting in way over my head. Thanks for all the responses so far.

I just graduated LPN school in January about the same time all of the local LPN jobs vaporized. Even though I started RN clinicals (I'd been on a waiting list for 2+ years) in February, I was anxious to get started on my nursing career. I got my first LPN job with a small hospice company and have been doing continuous care PRN while studying for my RN. At first, I didn't think I would want to make hospice my career speciality but seeing and hearing about all of the aggravating events that take place on a unit, I'm happy to have my 1:1 patient/family relationship in the patient's home environment. It's very rewarding and I feel like what I do truly impacts the patient, not someone's MBO's or budget bottom line.

I am a student nurse that is interested in hospice or home health care so I was very interested in the responses to your question. I think that I should work in a hospital for a few years before I become a hospice nurse because I would want to be reassuring to the families not nervous about what will happen next.

I was a hospital nurse for about 3 years before going into hospice. I think its always a great idea to start in the hospital to get the basics on nursing, medications and things, prior to getting involved in any specialty.

Thanks for the advice, do you have any advice about other opportunities or directions I should take? I have thought about Home health care do you have advice?

It's reassuring to see that there are relaxed and happy hospice nurses out there. I just started back in Feb on a med-surg floor to gain experience so that I can go into hospice nursing one day.

Working in a hospital is stressful (I'm sure hospice has its stress too.), but I'm willing to do it if it gets me closer to my goal. During school I had two days where I got to drive around with a hospice nurse on her visits. The care and attention she gave her patients and the family members really impressed me and it's something I decided I wanted to do.

I agree that you should have at least 1 year of experience, but life experience and you age and ability to prioritize and organize are also important. You have to be flexible and compassionate. The rewards are amazing as I have gained much from patients and families, more sometimes than I feel I have given in return. The acceptance of death as part of life and be comfortable with that concept. We cannot make it all better all of the time but we can make it a comfortable, peaceful journey. Good luck, we need more caring Hospice nurses as the population ages.:redpinkhe

I love Hospice nursing. I know you CAN get directly into hospice, but I agree with many of the other people that you should have a minimum of 1-2 years experience. Personally I had 3 years ICU experience and thank my lucky stars for it. Best wishes whatever your decision. :redbeathe

I think it depends on where you go. I know in my town, the organization I work for, you have to have at least 2 years hospital nursing (pref. med/surg). Also, they don't hire LPN/LVN's anymore where I work, only CNA's and RN's.

I was like you tho. As soon as I graduated nursing school 5 years ago, I wanted to work in hospice. I applied 3 times. The 3rd time, I got THE call. LOL. I started in hospice as an RN PRN, but just recently went fulltime with them. If it's in your heart, keep trying to apply and don't give up. When the time is right you'll get it.

My hospital nursing has helped me a lot in a lot of things that I have to do at the hospice unit. It's best to get some experience before going in.

I wish the best for you. Continue to follow your heart. You'll get there!