HospiceRN88

We are encouraged to attend. Usually the social worker will ask when services are and they will send an email to everyone who was involved in that patient's care (CNA, Chaplain, Admission Coordinator, RN, etc.). Usually at least one of us will go, sometimes more.

Pureed food and vomit...can't handle it!! Give me a pressure ulcer I can stick my fist in or thick mucous any day...

I really dislike hearing staff call residents/patients "honey", "sweetie", or the one I most hate "mamma", etc. Where do you draw the line? Is "sweet cheeks" ok? "Lover buns"? Probably not, so neither is "honey". Their parents named them James or Sally or Vickie, that's what I call them. If they want to be called Mrs. Smith, then Mrs. Smith it is. I also cringe when I hear others say "you know I love you". Or "who loves you honey, I do". I feel we are professionals and need to act that way. Just my two cents...

I'm in the Chicagoland area.

I would like to add that the nursing shortage is not real for ALL areas. Where I am, most employers are un-willing to hire new grads. The ones that will consider a new grad have between 200 - 400 applications for EACH position! I am aware of new grads that passed their boards over a year ago and just got a job. I had considered moving to an area where there is a nursing shortage, but finally found something after 10 months of searching.

Roxinal, Ativan, Tylenol and Scopolamine...only four, but that's our comfort meds for hospice.

As I recent grad and a new hospice nurse, I see what you're saying. Hospice nursing is a whole different thing. There are times I feel I'm not "doing" anything. I rarely use the skills I learned in school. I don't change dressings or give meds (my patients are in nursing homes). I take vitals at each visit and assess all the things others have stated. I know my patients better than the nurses who work at the facility. Generally, it is me that comes to facility staff and notifies them that there is a change, or death is imminent. In hospice, it is all about comfort. Comfort in the physical sense and the pyschological sense for BOTH the patient and the family. I have one patient who likes to hold my hand and push my hair behind my ears, so that's what we do at each visit. I have another patient who likes to watch "Jerry Springer" and although I feel dumber for doing it, that is what I do. Those are the days that I feel "lazy" and less nurse-like. Come follow me on a day when my patient is "tanking" and you will see phone calls to familiy members, meds given (depending on facility) and possibly tears. I recently had a patient pass and the daughter called me to ask if I would come to the service. I informed her I would be out of town, but would be thinking of her. She stated that they would reschedule the service so I could be there as I was such a huge part of her mom being able to die comfortably. I was (and am) honored. If you are interested in being a hospice nurse I would suggest becoming a volunteer.

Ummm, I'm not sure. She bought it with the "book package" that you'll all need to get. Last semester you couldn't get the books seperately. My thought was any good assessment book would be good to start reading. Let me get the name of her book though.

Congrats!!! My daughter got in last semester and is in the "new" program. If you are looking for stuff to read/do to get a head start my advice would be the following: *There is lots of assessment the 1st semester. Start reading up on your assessments. *Start learning some of the more popular drugs. Drugs.com has a lit of the top 100 drugs so that might be a good place to look for the popular ones. *Look online for dosage calculations practice. There are lots to choose from. You will have a "math" test shortly after you start your semester. Good luck! Stay organized!

My daughter is a 1st semester nursing student and I'm 4th. I looked through my daughters stuff and it looks like the program may be a bit harder than the older program. It also seems to be better organized as far as what to expect, read and do each day/week. My #1 suggestion to being successful in school is organization!

If I remember right, it's the AD score that you need to look at. I could be wrong though. Not much help am I?

I can only tell you what happened to me. I was let go from my job due to downsizing. When applying for unemployment they ask if you are a student. Since I said yes they informed me that being a student is my job. Therefore, after 6 months of fighting with them - I got nothing!! Funny thing is I had worked AND went to school for 3 years!

I would check out your state laws. There are three exemptions currently being used in the US to avoid all immunizations: medical, religious and philosophical. I think all states have the medical exemption. Very few states have the philosophical one. I don't know where you are, but Illinois, for example, has the medical and religious exemption. It is your right to refuse immunizations to be injected into your body. If the hospital makes you and you have a serious reaction, the hospital is responsible. That's why the US allows these exemptions, they don't want to be held responsible. I have a 20 year old and an 11 year old - neither of them have ever been vaccinated! They have gone to a variety of schools: public, Catholic, Lutheran and community colleges. I'd see if your daughter's doctor can sign a letter stating it is not reccommended due to her medical condition. I also agree with a previous poster that having your daughter in an environment that is filled with viruses and such may not be a good place for her. Good luck!

I have no clue where she went. I know her LPN was from years and years ago...probably 15+ years ago. My son thinks he heard she was doing something online, but I don't know.

To my understanding you will have to take the NLN. I have a friend who is a LPN, she contacted CLC to see if they would accept her as a 3rd semester student. They refused - if she wanted to go to CLC she would have to start from scratch. In addition to that, some of her science classes were older so she would have to take some additional science classes. I don't know what she ended up doing, but she didn't go to CLC. I hope this helps...good luck!