AddieRN

Thanks for the replys. I really appreciate all the input, and encouragement. I'll take all the advice I can get. I did look a couple of books up and found them on Amazon, and I plan to order them. Symptom Management Algorithms: A Handbook for Palliative Care seemed like an awesome resource just from reviewing the context. Say a prayer for me, as I start my new journey in nursing. I'll keep you up-to-date on how it's going. I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions on the forum.

Thanks AtlantaRN, for replying to my post. I have been on the search for some good books and resources. If you happen to come upon any others, let me know.

Just wanted to let you all know,I took the job! I'm really excited. I think I'll do good. Like any nursing job, I know it'll take a good 6 months to a year to get comfortable. I look forward to comforting my patients, and helping them through their final journeys. It seems like I will be working with a great team of people. I'll keep you posted on how the job is going. Thanks for all the advice.

Thanks for the replies. I know hospice is what I want to do, but what I don't understand is where is all my self-confidence? I get myself down, because I don't have the critical care experience that a lot of nurses have. Is my LTC experience enough to make me a successful hospice nurse? I don't want to take on this job and fail. So the fear of the unknown gets to me. At the same time, I'm scared that if I pass this up, I'll be regretful. It's hard to get on with this company, and this job just happened to fall in my lap, like it was God's Will. Tomorrow is the big day that I have to make the decision, the thought of it makes me sick on my stomach. I need advice, and prayers.

Hi everyone. I was recently offered a job as a hospice case manager. I have just under 2 years of nursing experience, with the magority of my time spent in a LTC facility where I've taken care of several hospice patients. I'm really excited about this position. Hospice is like a calling for me. I really want to succeed, although sometimes I lack self confidence. I will have 6 weeks of orientation, and after that a 12 patient case load. Sound bad? Any advice or encouragement you more experienced hospice nurses can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. AddieRN

I'm also an RN wanting to specialize in hospice. I've only been a nurse for a year and a half though. I'm currently working in LTC, gaining some geriatic experience before I transition.

I have to say, confidence is something I wish I had more of. I deal with not having enough confidence on a daily basis. It's faith that keeps me going, and a good support system at work. It sounds like you work in a very supportive environment. Never be scared to ask questions. I ask questions constantly. Psych is a great field to work in. It's always interesting. I do consulting for a couple of group homes. It's interesting evaluating how certain psych meds affect the client's behavior. I remember in my psych class it was all about those open-ended questions, that allowed the patient to talk freely. My passion is to one day do Hospice. I always want to keep my foot in the door of psych nursing as well. It took me until after nursing school to figure out what I wanted to do with my nursing career. Just stick in there! It sounds like you're on the right road .

Sorry you guys who took my message the wrong way. I really didn't mean to come across as rude. I apologize if you felt offended, and I hope you will forgive me. I guess some of the negative responses just made me feel a little on the defensive side, and a little upset. I'm just a nurse, trying to get my foot in the door, just like everyone else.

Well the facility I wish to start out in is inpatient, though we do have an outpatient facility in my county. I kinda wanted to use LTC experience as my foot in the door, seeing that I'll deal with a lot of skilled patients. Do they hire mainly LPNs in inpatient facilities? Just wondering what my chances are of snatching an inpatient job. I started out as a new grad on a cardiac unit :uhoh21: and realized it wasn't for me. Hospice or oncology was something I was always drawn too. My husband's grandmother recently passed away, and she had hospice. Just being there for her, and taking care of her during that time really made me realize what my true passion was. It takes a special heart to do hospice. My mom knows a lady who is kind of over the hospice home here where I live. She pretty much suggested I have a year - 2 years experience first. I'm fine either way. At least with a little skilled nursing experience, I wouldn't be jumping into hospice and getting in way over my head. Thanks for all the responses so far.

Hi everyone! I'm a newer nurse with almost a year's experience here and there. I feel that I've always been drawn to do Hospice. I know it's a tough area to work in, and can be sort of mentally tiring. I feel that it is the area that I am meant to work in. I'm getting ready to start working in a LTC facility in hopes of getting closer to my goal. I was wondering how much experience should I get before trying to make a move into the hospice field. Thanks in advance for all the responses.

That's all I have to say. I do not wish to have anymore responses to my thread, as I will not read them. Thanks.

Even with all the negative response, I have decided to take the position anyway. Am I over-confident? No way! But I do feel better knowing that I have support there when I need it. As far as training others is concerned....I believe infection control, etc. was drilled in our heads during nursing school, right? I am a good hearted person, and God knows what He's doing. I'm not one of those people who are like, look at me I'm the RN. I did not go to school for the title, I went to school to help others. I treat others the way I would like to be treated, and that's with respect. I have the common sense and knowledge to do good in any position. I'm also a critical thinker. There is no doubt in my mind that I can do this. Thanks to all the people who gave me positive responses. I really, really appreciate it. If you ever need advice from me (from those who gave positive responses) I would be more then glad to help you out in any way possible. God bless. Goodnight!

Thanks for all the responses both positive and negative. And kudos to Mskiesha and evilolive for starting out in LTC with little experience. I feel that if you two can do it, so can I. For those of you who are older and have more nursing experience, you don't understand the hurdles we new grads face. The job market is so tough right now. It's hard to get any nurse manager or DON to look our way b/c we don't have any experience. As for the weekend supervisor position....I will not be taking it. I was offered an SDC position instead, which I am seriously considering taking. I told her I was worried about losing my skills, but she told me not to worry because I would be oriented to the floor, should there ever be staffing issues and I could fill in as charge. DON also said that she starts IV's and does blood draws when staff are behind or just need an extra hand. It'll give me a little administration experience either way. Thanks again for all the response.

Hi everyone! I'm new to LTC. I'm a newer RN less than a years experience. I graduated May 08 started on a cardiac unit, worked there for almost 4 months and realized it wasn't for me. I've been doing some nurse consultant work for a couple of group homes for DD/MR that I worked as a hab-tech for during nursing school. I also work as a nurse for home care (PCS). I was just offered a job in a LTC facility as an RN supervisor. It's just a part-time position (every other weekend 7A-7P). I'm glad for that, because I kind of just want to get my feet wet. It has a 120 resident capacity. I'm supposed to be oriented to the floor as a staff nurse to get a feel for the floor, then trained as a supervisor. I'm kind of nervous yet excited about the position. I was wondering if any of you had any advice for a newer nurse starting out in this position. I would really appreciate it. Thanks everyone!

Yes, I relate my bad luck to the economy as well. Umm...I live almost an hour from Winston-Salem. Thanks for the encouragement.