New FNP- Hospice...Thoughts? Advice?

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Specializes in FNP- Hospice/Palliative care.

Hi Everyone!

I am a fairly new FNP with 13 years Nursing experience in LTC/MS/PCU and lastly, ICU before and during the pandemic so needless to say, I have been exposed to A LOT of death/dying/compassionate weaning throughout my nursing career. I am set to start a new position with smaller Hospice company next week, and this will be my very first NP job ?

Naturally, I'm anxious about going from an "expert RN" to a novice NP so I want to make sure I hit the ground running when orientation is over and it's time to see patients. 

What are some good resources I should have on-hand? Anything you suggest that will help me better understand and better care for my patients? Obviously not asking HOW to be a Hospice NP, but rather, just trying to get a feel for what resources I should get a hold of in order to effectively prepare?...Thanks in advance!

-Yari, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC ❤️

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I have never been a hospice NP.....but isn't that more of a regulatory role for certifying/re-certifying?

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I worked as a hospice NP for two years for my first job. I did more than just hospice recertifications (NPs do not do initial certifications)--I served as attending provider, I did medication deprescription visits, symptom mgmt visits, initial comprehensive visits, goals of care visits, and visits to actively dying patients. Your duties depend on your individual hospice agency. I know some hospice agencies that only want the NP to do recerts and some symptom mgmt stuff and that's it. That doesn't sit well with me because I cannot work to the full scope of my practice. 

@FNP_Yari I suggest reading up on regulations, etc., on websites such as NHPCO, HPNA. HPNA also has CEs. 

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