New Hospice Nurse

texan2011 · Jun 20, 2011

Congrats on your new job! I am also interested in hospice, have volunteered some, but not yet a nurse. I am curious if you are a "new" nurse or new to hospice. I would love to be a hospice nurse and am wondering how much experience most places require to hire -- or any that would consider a new graduate.

Thanks!

2brn09 · Jun 21, 2011

Hello Texan, this is my first hospice job as a nurse. Last year my sister passed away from cancer and was in hospice care her last three months. I traveled from GA to FL every other weekend to help care for her. I took the month of Feb. off to provide for her. Hospice was very good with her. They were very compassionate people. I know for now this is the career and specialty for me. I am looking forward to this job. I pray that all goes well. Are you not a CNA, LPN, nor RN?

jschut, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2011

Congratulations! I wish you well on your new job! My guess would be that you'll be paid every two weeks....

texan2011 · Jun 21, 2011

No I am not a nurse. I have a regular job. I am taking one course at a time and enjoying the pace so long as I have time to visit my children and grandson. Perhaps I will get my BSN in a few years. I was more certain until I saw how glutted the market is and how difficult entry to nursing schools has become.

I volunteer with Seasons Hospice in Dallas. They are always looking for volunteers if anyone is interested, and I think they may need an RN in Fort Worth. Federal guidelines require a certain number of volunteer hours so they really coddle their volunteers. I feel very wanted, and I am learning a lot about end-of-life care. I lost both parents to cancer, and I regret I didn't involve hospice. I also watch out for my patients, give feedback to the families, and report anything unusual to hospice.

I am guessing you have prior nursing experience. Let us know how you like your job.

2brn09 · Jun 21, 2011

I will let you know. I start on Monday and i'm looking forward to my new hospice career. I've worked in med-surg, peds, pacu, and apu. I loved my job as a pacu and apu nurse, but now i'm ready to give hospice a try.

2brn09 · Jun 27, 2011

Today was an awesome day. The staff were very pleasant and welcoming. Did alot of computer orientation with Odyssey university.

texan2011 · Jun 28, 2011

Thanks for the update. Once you are in the swing, I would be interested what your day is like. Hours, paperwork.

2brn09 · Jun 29, 2011

I am one of 2 crisis care nurses and will be going to another city within next 3 weeks to train. I will be a trainer of 4 more nurses within the next 2 months. I will let you know how things go in the weeks to come.

2brn09 · Jul 2, 2011

Today was the completion of my first week as a hospice nurse. The people are phenominal. It has been a great week. On yesterday as I walked into the building with plush nice carpet my cup busted out at the bottom and tea spilled all over the place. There were many to stop and help but one lady went all out to help me. I was so embarassed and thought i was going to fired on the spot. They were soo helpful and they genuinely care about the staff there. I had a great week once again.

texan2011 · Jul 5, 2011

Sounds like you are in a good place. I am hearing about some not so good hospice groups on the forum. I know there is a lot of competition. Yours sounds like a good one. My volunteer "home" Seasons Hospice is also a nice place to work and has openings for case managers in Ft Worth and Dallas -- the spots have been open for awhile so they may be hiring more than one -- if anyone here has credentials. The nurses I talk to seem very happy there.

2brn09 · Jul 6, 2011

Texan2011, I am having a great start to my second week as well. I am learning a lot and I am loving it. I can truely say that Hospice Nursing is a calling.