Alvindudley

Joining hpna can be a huge help.

We use allscripts and as it was not designed for hospice use, we are getting a huge revamping of it. I haven't seen my boss for weeks because she is locked in with the software developers redoing it. I would say that it is the reason why I spend so much time after hours documenting. I do chart at bedside, I always have a narrative note going and I do vitals and scales right into the database assessment. But then I have all these stupid circles to check and repetitive crap and it's maddening. Can't wait to see the new version but I'm not optimistic.

I am an rn case manager, home care only, no admissions. Last week was an aberration; I had 18 pts but lots of help from my colleagues. I wear business casual always, and I drive anywhere from 30-60 miles a day for my job with my caseload spread through a metro region. I see 4-5 pts a day. And I have at least 2 hours of charting after I come home. I have very critical and young patients mixed in with a bunch of "long termers"' dementia, debility, CHF.... My usual caseload is around 12. It was my first job as a new grad-2 years now. I love it. And I am going to take my certification exam in December.

I see 4 sometimes 5 pts a day, I work m-f and rarely take or have to do on call. I work about 12 hours or more a day when you add in documentation time and I drive 40-60 miles a day. And I love my job. I rarely do admissions, I do all home care, 2 facility patients right now and sometimes GIP in one hospital

I loved hp when we used them! We switched to one point and they just stink. I know hp was more expensive but honestly!

Actually hpna has an awesome flip book that helps with care plans and recerts. Message me privately if this is Greek to you. I struggle with care plans every day. We mainly use alt. in resp status, pain, alt in elimination, alt in skin, ineffective coping, dnr status, and hospice care plans. Hope this helps!

I saw a picture of all the new folks who participated in this program on facebook. Interestingly they were all young, pretty and white. Interesting, huh?

This is really well put. As a hospice nurse, if I do my job well and teach effectively, not only am I able to mitigate the pain and suffering at EOL but also empower my patients to make the best decisions for themselves. I have not yet encountered a suicidal patient but when I do, I hope I handle it with as much grace as you.

Here's what you need to remember about CHF and hospice. This comes from a colleague of mine who heard it a conference but it is wonderful. The goal is to have a metabolic death, not a congestive death. Death by dysrrythmia is far preferable to drowning in fluid from flash pulmonary edema. Lasix is a major player in comfort measures at EOL for our patients.

Don't bother with lpn. You won't get a job. Get an associates RN at a minimum

Stay away from family lives agency. They will hire new grads and the next thing you know, you will be working with a little sick kid on a vent. Not the. Way you want to start

oh--can so totally put my 2 cents in on this one!! a timex expedition diving watch--has ordinal (regular) numbers, a lumiglo backlight, a sweep hand, a dial around the outside you can twist and time things with--has big notches for 5 second increments AND is made to stand up to all the handwasking you can do--it was about $40 and then I bought a good metal bracelet style strap for it--also stands up to all the handwashing--had it fitted, it reduces infection-stands up to cleaning and I have it for 2 years--use it every day in my practice as a hospice nurse. timex ladies expedition--awesome!!

wow--that consideration of patient acuity is HUGE. I am a CM and I am on my way to having a full caseload of 10--now I have 7 and one patient in transition or a pain crisis can destroy your whole day! I feel like I shortchange my more stable patients--and sometines I get handed an absolute trainwreck of a patient and I don't have the time to get a handle on them and that's bad too. I like when I was a float and saw other people's cases. We have an LPN who does that--he's amazing--saved my butt the other day during a "poopstorm"....

the throughlifeand death link seems to be broken

just went to 0.51/mile plus tolls parking etc