Diana2002

I have liked my co-workers in past jobs --- don't dislike the ones I have now, but could not say they are "friends" or likely to become friends. Management is, as usual, incompetent, but not malevolent.

Hey, thanks for all the support and reassurance. Things are definitely getting better for me in this new world of hospice nursing. Will be back for more advice!

thank you for your thoughtful -- philosophical even -- response. i read it with interest. i don't dislike hospice, just don't like it yet. have always been more keyed on relieving pain and suffering than on fighting tooth and nail for a cure that doesn't exist or comes with too high a price tag for the patient. i'm sure hospice will prove to be a niche for me. once i've been on the in-patient unit for a while, i am supposed to be cross-trained to do home visits. my original post stemmed from my dismay that a little old lady was allowed to suffer for so long. as the orientee, i did ask pointed questions, but. . .nothing was done until one really excellent day shift nurse was on again. i still feel vaguely guilty . . .like i was too much of a coward to make waves with my orienting nurse. that i could have been more fierce on the patient's behalf and spared her three days of confusion and pain. know what i mean? :imbar

You may have to grovel and confess you have problems with authority --- including stop signs. Tell them you know you need help. Pleeeeze help me. Stuff like that. You should be golden.

Well, I don't think the doctor was being advised of the situation with the patient, but I'm not sure. Not been here long enough to get the lay of the land. They are big on methadone here -- do use morphine, but not Dilaudid. That I've seen. I'm not liking hospice yet, but I hope I will soon.

Should it take five days to get an 89 year old woman with a brain tumor and Alzheimer's, admitted GIP for agitation under control? She's now on palliative sedation with a phenobarbital drip and was resting quiety for the first time in five days when I left last night. Also -- do you use methadone as your main pain medication? Thanks