I accepted hospice position.

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I accepted the Hospice position and will start full time next week. Im very nervous but excited about it. Anyone have any advice about what I should be doing to prepare for this position? Im anxious about the pain managment aspect, will this be difficult for me to learn. What kind of things can I read that will help me to be a better hospice nurse? Thanks for any info that anyone can share.

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Specializes in Hospice and Palliative Care, Family NP.

GOOD LUCK!!! It takes time to adjust. I love the fact that we can take time with our patient's and have a more holistic approach to nursing. It's so great to make a difference in our patient's lives as well as the families. I hope you enjoy your work!

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Hello, I just took a position as a hospice nurse and I start next week also. I ran out and bought Elisabeth Kubler-Ross books and purchased online a textbook for palliative nursing so I understand what you are going through.

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It is good to know that Im not alone. I go in to tommorow to spend the day with the nurse that is leaving. I feel good about my decision and most people are positive about my decision but occ I hear Oh, are you sure you can do this, you sure are a sensitive nurse. But I feel in my heart that this is the direction that the Lord wants me to go so Im going for it and I trust that he will lead me in the way. I appreciate the replys and Im sure I will have plenty of questions in the future.

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HI. I am a new user, so bear with me. I too am going to start a Hospice position soon. I have been a cardiac nurse, and recently in management, so it is a bit of a change for me. I have been reading Final Gifts, a book by 2 hospice nurses about end of life experiences. It is inspiring. The suggestion about a textbook onpaliative care is a good one. Good luck!

maryalice5

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It is good to know that Im not alone. I go in to tommorow to spend the day with the nurse that is leaving. I feel good about my decision and most people are positive about my decision but occ I hear Oh, are you sure you can do this, you sure are a sensitive nurse. But I feel in my heart that this is the direction that the Lord wants me to go so Im going for it and I trust that he will lead me in the way. I appreciate the replys and Im sure I will have plenty of questions in the future.

Sensitive nurses make great hospice nurses!! You will do fine and don't worry about the pain and symptom management. You will learn as you go - hopefully you have good support and a good Medical Director that can help. As long as you are open to learning, you will do great. Good luck.

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Congrats, we can always use more compassionate nurses that are willing to take the jump. One of the books that we use with each of our nurses in orientation (and they get to keep the copy) is "Notes on Symptom Control in Hospice & Palliative Care" by Peter Kaye. It is available through the Hospice Education Institute and I believe NHPCO, also. It list various symptoms from anxiety to pain and restlessness and gives rationale for these occurring as well as suggestions to use to combat these symptoms as well as medications and dosages. In the back of the book it list many of the common cancers and symptoms associated with these and treatments and potential problems areas you might encounter. I highly recommend for someone new to Hospice to read but until you get some confidence to use prior to a visit for a specific disease so you have some knowledge to answer questions with. Good luck in your new future.

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Hello everyone. Im in my second week and things are going well. My pt load is very small right now and that is making it easier for me to comprehend everything. Thanks for the encourgaement and advice. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on and visiting this site as often as I can. Ive already discovered that the transition from curing to comfort is going to be a difficult one but one that I welcome. Another thing that is really confusing, how do you keep up with everyone's meds and making sure they dont run out. Right now Im using a calender for each pt and updating it with each visit. There is so much to learn! But, right now I love it.

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Wow, they got your feet wet right away didn't they? Glad to hear things are going well for you.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Best wishes to you and enjoy it!

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I have a 28-year career history in psychiatric social work, including private practice psychotherapy. I am completing my pre-reqs and entering nursing school in fall 2006. I am accepted for both the PN and RN programs. My problem: I want to complete the PN program because it will take only one year. But I want to work in Hospice Care. Are challenging/good positions available in Hospice Care for LPNs----or should I go for my RN? I truly need some advice, please. Thanks.

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Hi, JudithLane

Many programs I'm aware of do not use LPN's and some do, but you need to consider several things. Yes you can complete in one year but financially an RN's salary is much more and opportunities are actually much better. You didn't say what state you were from and many states are actually looking at decreasing LPN's. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

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