New Grad

I have heard of them hiring new grads if they have worked as a PCA in hospice. Otherwise, they told me to expect to need 1-2 years of med/surg required. This is so that you can build your assessment skills.

You are more likely to get hired as a new grad into hospice if the agency you apply to has a hospice facility. The facility offers the opportunity for new nurses to develop a skill set which will improve their chances at success. Field hospice nurses function in a highly autonomous role that is often too difficult for nurses with no bedside experience.

Field hospice nurses must be able to trouble shoot and prioritize and plan care on the fly. We do not have a colleague or coworker a couple doors down to collaborate with (although most are only a phone call away and are happy to help). We deal with tubes and stomas of all types, fresh and long term. We have to trouble shoot pumps and ports and patient complaints of all types. Our patients have cancer and heart disease and diabetes and depression and mental illness. Sometimes our patients are just old but their caregiver has some or all of the above. We must be able to teach and console and collaborate.

Above all else...our patients die...all of them.

Hospice is a wonderful field, but it is not for those who are unsure of their skills, abilities, or role as a nurse. I hope that you discover that hospice is the field for you...we need more dedicated and inspired nurses.

I so agree with tewdles, I worked in the hospital for quite a few years to hone my skills before I felt ready to go in home care. Independence and accuracy with assessment skills is a learned experience. Please prepare yourself before delving into this very rewardinbg but taxing position, I applaude you and hope that you will realize your dream, just be careful about taking care of yourself! Examine also your own belief system related to your mortality. It is hard to help someone die if we don't have a realization of our own mortality. Best Wishes!

I am currently working as a hospice lna for a visiting nurse service. I have known even before I began nursing school (I graduate in May) that my dream job was to be a Hospice RN. But even where I work, they said to get a year under my belt at a nursing home or hospital before I could work there.............it is very true about getting the experience. I have been looking on line for hospitals that offer hospice in house...........We are willing to relocate anywhere south or west of New Hampshire......does anyone have any recommendations?

Thank you so much for your help. I know that one way or the other I will end up in hospice for nursing.........it is just a matter of how I will get there in this economy!

God Bless and have a wonderful new year!