Interview today

[GWENLYN18]

Hello everyone.

I have just interviewed at an incredible inpatient hospice center with a great reputation. I have been an RN for 2 years now working Tele at first and then on an interventional cardiac unit (I have also worked in the CCU,ICU as well as Psych.) I really liked the facility and would love to get this job. My question is to you (experienced) hospice RN's. Do you think it would be an "Ok" transition. Are there any words of wisdom/advice on starting out in Hospice. What do you think new hospice nurses need to know. Thanks for you time!

[Werblessed]

I think it's a GREAT transition...acute care to hospice care = excellent care giving and assessment skills!

:w00t:

I was just recruiting for RNs for our hospice and the mandatory requirement was at least 2 years of acute care experience, so you'll do just fine!

Hospice is patient directed care vs. hospitals where it typically is physician directed care. The patient is the primary person in establishing the plan of care. How nice is THAT?! 'We treat the patient's experience - not the numbers' - you'll hear that a lot on the inpatient unit and it's true throughout this field. Yes, we do vital signs but mostly to help gauge where a pt is prognosis-wise or to provide feedback to the Attending about how the patient is doing or if med changes are needed. You're about to embark on a journey of the soul and you'll learn many little tricks of the trade along the way to help ease the symptoms of patients and provide assurance to family members. I am very excited for you...give yourself the time and patience of learning this new specialty. It does take time but with a strong clinical background I think you'll do amazingly well. Keep posting on how we can help or just to vent. And WELCOME to an area of nursing that is filled with blessings, warm and compassionate care.:heartbeat