I want to be a Hospice Nurse

its_meee · Dec 29, 2014

I was placed in Hospice/Home Health care for six clinical rotations. I'm not sure if all agencies are the same, but the one I was at requires experience prior to being hired. New graduates are not hired at this specific facility. I think 2 years experience in patient care are necessary first. Also, at this facility hospice and home health are both provided. Some days there may be 4 home health clients and only one hospice. I know on the days I was there the home health clients far outweighed the hospice clients; many days there were no hospice clients at all. Just letting you know what I experienced :)

Red Kryptonite · Dec 29, 2014

I work for a non-profit hospice agency that hires new grads. They're out there.

TammyG · Dec 30, 2014

I strongly advise you to get some hospital-based experience first. You can't get that kind of training in home health. In the hospital, you are constantly surrounded by experienced nurses and see multiple types of patients/diseases/procedures daily. Even though there are home health or hospice agencies that hire directly out of school, I would recommend you get 1-2 years of med-surg experience first.

vampiregirl, BSN, RN · Jan 1, 2015

I got introduced to Hospice patients/ care working in LTC, I feel that I have a good skill base for caring for my hospice patients. I'm still learning so much though, which is a huge bonus for me.

I also got to know the various hospices and "how they worked". I was encouraged to apply for my position (at the Hospice that I liked the best/ had the most respect for) by one of the hospice nurses from this organization - she knew my skill set and personality would be a good fit with the team.

ShesanRN · Jan 8, 2015

Like vampiregirl, I was introduced to hospice nursing working in LTC. I loved what I was doing there, and began to especially love the extra time, care and attention I was able to give patients and families as the patient's time of passing drew closer.

What can you expect? For me, hospice nursing has made life bigger and grander in many ways. Being with patients and families who are facing end of life amplifies my senses and sharpens my priorities. Things that were once a big deal no longer even fall onto the radar, and it's a beautiful thing. Helping get a patient home from the hospital because they just want to leave this world in the most comfortable setting they know, is the most rewarding thing...

Like most nursing, it can be physically and mentally exhausting. Interventions that don't work like we'd hoped, grieving and possibly non-compliant families, and lack of easy answers in general take their toll, but it only takes one day off for me to begin missing those I care for in this most worthy specialty!

FrancineRyan · Jan 24, 2015

Hi, I was told that Hospice takes nurses right out of school, and i was so glad to hear that. I have worked with hospice patients before as a CNA.

FrancineRyan · Jan 24, 2015

Thanks, its what i like to hear..

FrancineRyan · Jan 24, 2015

Hi Tammy, and you are totally right, most places require hospital experience. Im not a young chicken, im 48 years old, so for me, if they hire me right on with hospice, that is where i will stay. If i was young say in my 20's, of course I would go and get the hospital experience, but i have no plans to work in a hospital, only due to the 12 hour shifts. I would rather work less hours, 12 hours is a bit much.

FrancineRyan · Jan 24, 2015

Hello to you and vampire gal.. Hospice will be great for me, it will be tough, but i can do it. I hope I can help the famlies in some way, I know how tough it can be when a loved one is lost, as I myself lost my husband to cancer 3 years ago, so ive been there, and its tough.