dosamigos76

Ask about on call and admissions nurse?

Always have two nurses minimum-one is RN. 9-12 patients 3 nurses except at night.

I work for a not for profit hospice and we take regardless of payment method. That said-we have to pick and choose, cause there are way too many patients that need you and we couldn't keep the doors open. We do inpatient at our facility for charity patients even.

I have worked for nonprofit and for profit. I currently work for a company that while we are aware of costs, we do not compromise care for the patient or family. I manage an IPU and we take charity patients there-that is one of the things I am very proud of. It all depends on the company and the Administrator. I love what I do, but I don't do it for free either... The company I work for is not in the top for pay, but they make up for it in the quality of care that is provided.

Just the other day, Lousiana decided to drop the hospice benefit for Medicaid.

I agree, Senna-S is our staple. I am also a fan of Miralax or in a pinch with new onset constipation 30mL MOM in 6 oz warm prune juice. Works like a champ!

I am in hospice so my philosophy is more directed toward that... My philosophy: Educate and support the patient and family of their choices and options. Return control to the patient-can't do that without knowing their choices and options. Do my best to support their decisions. Walk them through the experience. Remember this is their death, their family member, and their experiences-respect that at all times Support all the staff I have the opportunity to interact with. Each interaction we have with ANY individual will have either a positive or negative impact. I strive for a positive impact. I want to always try to leave (a family, a company, or my life) better than when I entered...

Feel free to pm or e-mail me.

Ask around at some facilities... Heartland (if we're talking about the same company) is a for-profit company-nothing wrong with that. Here in the DFW area in Texas-I can give you info if you want to e-mail me. Good luck!

1. What drew you to this profession? Having the opportunity to be able to make a difference. 2. How much education did you complete and where? I have an Associate's Degree from Clovis Community College from Clovis, New Mexico. Graduated December2005 3. Please describe a typical day in your work week. what do you do on a daily basis? I am a hospice nurse, currently working as the Patient Care Manager and the Interim Executive Director. I arrive at the office by 0700, Find out what happened over night. Check in admissions, deaths, and prepare for referrals for that day. I often meet with families and explain how hospice will benefit them and their families. I have various meetings with peers and receive phone calls from families, facilities and staff. I update the physicians on pts they have referred to us and support our nurses. By 1630, I update our on call nurse and our president on any pertinent information. I usually leave the office by 1800 and am available for administrative call. 4. What are your favorite aspects of your job? I love that we make a difference. I love teaching staff and supporting the important work that they do. I love the autonomy, of working with people that I am so proud to know and the belief that we do make a difference. 5. What are your least favorite aspects of your job? The complaints from people that you can't do anything about, the game playing some people are stuck in. 6. What frustrates you the most on the job? Call ins and laziness 7. How many hours per week do you work? Do you control you schedule? 50+, am salaried, so it goes with the territory. 8. How stable is your job? Do you worry about losing your job? My job is stable, and I do not worry about losing my job. Am contacted by headhunters, if I wanted to move on, I could do so, but I have no desire to. 9. How much stress do you experience from your work? When you are not at work, how often do you think or worry about aspects of you work? 10. what's your advice to someone thinking of entering this field? I love hospice. It is an honor to be invited in to something so personal as dying. Advice-become comfortable in your own skin.

i would do CC for education. Have SW or SCC been brought into the equation to assist the family? Also, you might talk with the HHA and see what insight they have into the family dynamics. Often their perspective is extremely valuable, and they often have the inside track... Good luck!

I like the temporal one you can get at WalMart. Works great!

Vista Care used to start out at 6 weeks PTO...nothing to sneeze at.

Thank you and well said. Here in MN the nurses are probably gonna be striking in July. I follow the MNA on Facebook and some of the terms describing the replacement nurses are harsh. I WOULD consider working as a scab--I support what the nurses are striking for, but patients need care while the strike is going on and I need the money. Such is life.

Just got an a-mail saying "For those of you who are not aware - the one day nursing strike in the twin cities is set for June 10th. We are looking for nurses to work June 10th and train June 9th. The pay for the two days will be a minimum or $1700!!! When we submit you and get approval from the facility, you are guaranteed to get paid in full even if they settle the strike before the 10th. " It's amazing that they are willing to pay this... I live about 60 outside of the Twin Cities, but I support the MN Nurses!

I live in outstate MN and just received an e-mail stating" For those of you who are not aware - the one day nursing strike in the twin cities is set for June 10th. We are looking for nurses to work June 10th and train June 9th. The pay for the two days will be a minimum or $1700!!! When we submit you and get approval from the facility, you are guaranteed to get paid in full even if they settle the strike before the 10th. " I can't consider in good conscience crossing the picket line. The money would be awesome, but the principle is more important.

It sure is not just you! I am up in MN and I can't hardly buy a job. I moved here from TX and was used to being recruited all the time. I am an ADN nurse and the employers have so many wonderfully qualified BSN + nurses to chose from it is disheartening.

Pancreatic CA is painful!!! I have actually seen palliative sedation have to be used for a case because of the pain. Please, oh please advocate for your patient. Is there family available? Hospice is an entitlement, not a privilege. I wish you the best!

Roxanol was difficult to get for a bit and still is in some spots in the market. In hospice, we live and breathe with Roxanol, so we had to scramble there for a bit. You should be able to get it. You're right, hospice did "educate" the FDA about the importance of this medication and they scrambled to get it back available. Some of the larger pharm companies had heard the rumbling and had stockpiled it (thank goodness).

When I worked in states where I could deliver medications, I always had the family sign stating what they had received. It protects me and verifies what is or should be in the home.

I counted the narcs every visit. I only had the family keep a log of when it was given if there was a question of diversion or if there were a lot of caregivers in the home so that everyone would know when meds were given. It was easier to know when to increase the long lasting medication when PRN usage went up.

You can also treat the wound once it opens with Flagyl...open the capsule and spread it over the wound. It will not smell and attract the flies. HTH Cheryl

http://hospice.aseracare.com/home.aspx AseraCare Hospice is owned by the same company that owns Aegis Therapies, AseraCare Home Health, and Golden Living Centers along with a couple of other businesses I believe. I believe that they are #4 in the country. I work for them and have found them to be a good company to work for. They focus on taking care of the patient, not the bottom line. I mean, you have to be profitable, but that does not appear to be their driving force. They promote a positive environment, try to hire from within, and support their staff. I'm sure environments vary from site to site, but they really do have a good reputation in the field. To me that says a lot about them.

We are switching over to blank care plans and the idea is to forgo the "Nursing Diagnosis" type care plans, we are using real language and real interventions and outcomes. I think that the thinking makes sense. Pain>What is their goal for pain level>Pain medication to control pain >How effect has the current regimine been and what adjustments have needed or anticipate need to be changed.

Welcome to hospice!!! I have never worked in a hospice house, but I can tell you that there is nothing like providing hospice care for people in their own homes. It is the most wonderful experience (in my opinion) that hospice can provide. You are part of a team, and work with all your team members. Your Social Worker, your Spiritual Care, and your Home Health Aide are priceless. The family will count on you to guide them through this journey, and you will have the tools to do what is needed. Boundaries are extremely important for you and the family. Ask your peers and your manager for help when you need it and keep your eyes and ears open. Help out when you can and they'll help you when you need it and it's all a learning experience. Make sure to always have enough medications in the home and teach something each interaction with the patient or the family. Good luck and welcome again!