New to nursing, new to hospice

[dixiesnurse]

Hello everyone...I recently graduated from nursing school with my BSN in December and passed my NCLEX in May. I have been searching for a job since May and I finally got an offer for a position in hospice. It has been challenging to find work as a new graduate in a small community where all of the new grad posotions in the local hospital cannot even accomodate the graduates from the local hospital. I did not go to school here, so it has made it even more challenging to establish a rapport within the medical community here. I have been reading that hospice can be really difficult for new grads, and from some posts, that hospice is not appropriate for a new grad. Believe me, I would rather start on a med surg floor or LTC, but this is where I am at. Although, I do love the idea of using my autonomy and my BSN fully, and I am excited to start this new journey in my career! Anyways, I am a lot nervous, I must say. Is there any good reading or any advice from some seasoned hospice nurses.:)

[workingmomRN]

I have been a nurse for 10 years, but just recently started working in hospice. My PCC recommended the articles that are posted on the hospice nursing forum in this website.

[mia7508]

Dixiesnurse,

I am RIGHT where you are! I graduated with my BSN in May, passed boards in June, and have been actively looking for work the entire summer. The med-surg floors in the hospitals nearby are just not hiring. I did not go to school here, so, like you said, it is difficult to get in when the hospital cannot even accomodate their own graduates.

I have always been interested in Hospice, but did not pursue it until last week. I sent in my resume and they called me that day to schedule an interview for Monday. They said they are willing to take new grads. I am a little apprehensive, but very excited about the opportunity. I would rather get some experience in the hospital... but I cannot wait around on a job much longer when nothing else looks promising. I am going to talk to the nurse director about orientation at length, because I want to make sure that my patients and my license are safe. Hopefully they will be willing to meet me there.

I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone! I am in need of some good advice, too! :redbeathe

[nrcnurse]

You'll be out there, on your own, most of the time. So, make sure you get a lengthy orientation, that includes shifts in the hospice house. Spend as much time with your preceptor as possible. You will see lots of CHF, COPD, and every cancer you've ever studied, and many that you've never heard of. You'll need to know how to manage the symptoms of all these diseases (Roxanol and lorazapam are your friends) and how to keep a family cool when their loved one is crashing and on his way to his next great adventure. You'll go to very nice, very clean homes, as well as single-wide trailers with no plumbing and holes in the floor. You'll see some of EVERYTHING. Hospice is very rewarding, but not for the timid. If you can get some experience at a hospital or nursing home, you will be much more comfortable with the patient population. No job is easy right out of school (real life is not like school, it's not even like your preceptorship), but that doesn't mean that you can't do it. Just know what you don't know, and know where (and when) to call for help.