How soon to specialize?

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Specializes in Certified Wound Care Nurse.

Hello all,

I am a "baby" nurse, have had 10 weeks of orientation and have been on my own for a month now in telemetry/med-surg.

I would like to specialize in Hospice eventually and was wondering how long I should work in med-surg before specializing and once ready to specialize, how do I go about it? Do I simply apply at Hospice and ask for orientation?

I guess what I'm looking for is career advice and the best way to develop a career path. I could do this on my own - but I'd rather ask advice from seasoned professionals rather than stumbling along on my own.

Many thanks,

Shawna

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Specializes in ICU, CCU,Wound Care,LTC, Hospice, MDS.

Most Hospice want a year or two of Med-Surg experience. Check with them.

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Minimum one year...two would be better

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Specializes in Hospice, LTC.

I have been a nurse for 3 years. I worked at a nursing home for the first year and a half and have been in hospice since. I love where I am at, my boss tells me I'm good at what I do. I feel that hospice is my calling and I am greatful daily for the opportunity I have had to be a part of hospice. I think you need to get at least a year of nursing under your belt and then go for it.

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I went in to nursing school with the plan to work for Hospice. I worked on an Oncology floor for 10months before switching to the premiere hospice in our area. I had wonderful orientation with hospice and it was a rapid learning curve, but I think most of the benefit of my experience came from my life experiences before becoming a nurse.

If your heart is in hospice - make the switch whenever they are willing to hire you. Obviously not all hospices require you to have 1-2 years of experience or I wouldn't be where I am today. :heartbeat

Best of luck to you...!

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Specializes in hospice.

You will never regret the experience you got working at the hospital. In hospice you see some of everything, and you are out there on your own with your patients. There's always someone to call for advice and you'll have your team for support, but being able to make decisions, and having the confidence to work autonomosly will come with experience. You'll know when you're ready.

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