CBYRN

I work for a hospice. We go out everyday to dispense 1 pill at a time if we need to. We also use a lock box in homes where there may be drug diversion or the potential for abuse. If it's pain meds we might leave a few at a time out and tell them to call if they need more. We have even used a neighbor already to take over 1 ambien every night. They would have gone over to check on him anyway. Good luck.

I'm 61 and travel. It's the perfect time. I only work hospice. It's all I've done in my 30 year career. You know dialysis well. That's not the difficult part. The hard part for me is learning a different computer program at each job and trying to learn it quickly. Usually I have some orientation the first few days, go out with another nurse for a day but spend most of that first week getting the computer down. I like to be off and running on my own the beginning of the second week. Hospice is a little different because I'm alone out there. You'll always have someone with you. I just finished my last job the end of Oct. and they asked me to extend andhea to go back again. Age never came up. My husband is older than me and is fully retired. He goes with me. We hope to continue for a few more years as long as our health and my ability to learn a new computer program hold out. I think I've learned 5 so far. I'm not sure how many more are out there.Go for it. I think they will all value your wisdom and maturity!!

I've been a hospice nurse since 1986, love it and would be glad to answer any questions for you.

mixedfruit, I'm sorry I can't figure out how to write back to you privately. Maybe because I'm too new here. I think your resume is great and it shows lots of activity. Don't forget to put in your school. Is there anything you did specifically in the rediation department? I think being fluent in Mandarin and Taiwanese is a really big asset! Good luck!

I agree with Orca and Jolie. It is a given that you had med-surg, OB, OR, etc. clinical experience in school. We all did. What sets you apart? Your volunteering is one good thing. That sets you apart from all the other new grads.:redpinkhe

Congratulations on your new job. I hope you love it as much as I love hospice nursing. I work for 3 different hospices. I work for one at home and travel to 2 other ones in Arizona spring and fall. One hospice does not use LPNs at all. Ours at home uses LPNs mostly for personal care which could certainly mean "not using all your skills". They also fill in for RNs, though, when we're short. They could be doing all foley care, all bowel care, all wound care, blood draws, all charting. I'm not sure what their license lets them do with CADD pumps or central lines. They make med changes according to physician orders. That will take a call in to an RN in the office. At another hospice I work for, the LPN fills in for the RN who is off that day. If the RN has a week off, an LPN sees her patients all that week. If there is anything that needs done that she can not do, another RN will make the visit but she is basically the casemanager during that time frame. One major difference from in the acute setting is that you are pretty much on your own. You can always call in to the office and ask for an RN but it's pretty much you and the pt/family. It will be the most rewarding work you ever do. It's not rush-rush in that you can focus on only 1 pt at a time but you may have a very full day and lots of driving in between and then lots of charting. It can be crazy but a different kind of crazy. Keep us posted. LOL:nurse: cbyrn

Congratulations on your new job. I hope you love it as much as I love hospice nursing. I work for 3 different hospices. I work for one at home and travel to 2 other ones in Arizona spring and fall. One hospice does not use LPNs at all. Ours at home uses LPNs mostly for personal care which could certainly mean "not using all your skills". They also fill in for RNs, though, when we're short. They could be doing all foley care, all bowel care, all wound care, blood draws, all charting. I'm not sure what their license lets them do with CADD pumps or central lines. They make med changes according to physician orders. That will take a call in to an RN in the office. At another hospice I work for, the LPN fills in for the RN who is off that day. If the RN has a week off, an LPN sees her patients all that week. If there is anything that needs done that she can not do, another RN will make the visit but she is basically the casemanager during that time frame. One major difference from in the acute setting is that you are pretty much on your own. You can always call in to the office and ask for an RN but it's pretty much you and the pt/family. It will be the most rewarding work you ever do. It's not rush-rush in that you can focus on only 1 pt at a time but you may have a very full day and lots of driving in between and then lots of charting. It can be crazy but a different kind of crazy. Keep us posted. LOL:nurse: cbyrn