Joining Hospice

[AussiePupOwner]

Good afternoon everyone. I've been reading your posts for quite some time and they've assisted in my decision to accept a job offer as a hospice case manager. My background is oncology and school nursing. I dealt with several end-of-life scenarios while working oncology and they always fueled my desire to work hospice. While in nursing school, I considered hospice and have utilized hospice services for my family. I had heard that case management is a salaried position and that one may not always get home when expected. I'm now an "empty-nester" and thought this would be a great time to reinvent myself and finally see if this is what I've really wanted to be when I grew up!

Any advise or tips would be greatly appreciated!

[toomuchbaloney]

Good luck!

Your experience should serve you well in this new specialty.

I think that you will find that your professional boundaries take on a new and important meaning when working in hospice. You want to protect yourself from the cumulative grief that goes with the job. Make certain that you have a healthy support mechanism. Don't be lured into thinking that you alone are responsible to the hospice patients, even if you are their case nurse. Remember that hospice care is delivered by a TEAM, not just a nurse.

let us know how you like it.

[AussiePupOwner]

Good luck!

Your experience should serve you well in this new specialty.

I think that you will find that your professional boundaries take on a new and important meaning when working in hospice. You want to protect yourself from the cumulative grief that goes with the job. Make certain that you have a healthy support mechanism. Don't be lured into thinking that you alone are responsible to the hospice patients, even if you are their case nurse. Remember that hospice care is delivered by a TEAM, not just a nurse.

let us know how you like it.

Thanks for the input toomuchbaloney!