KtHospiceRNCM

Hi all! I've been with hospice for nearly 9 years. Started as a CNA. Worked up to LPN then RN. I have Case Managed as RN for a year. Are there any Hospice Team Managers here? I'd like to ask a few questions if so! My current manager is a good resource, however, I would like to hear from others who work for a different company and compare notes TIA!

I sent in my endorsement fee and application Feb 6. At first I was waiting to be mailed a temp license (not sure why I thought that's how it would work). I received my fingerprint card and FAST Pass yesterday, Feb 17, in the mail. I checked on the Texas BON website and searched for myself under temp license and I popped up. I believe the temp license is good for 120 days. I, too, am moving to Texas within the next 2-3 months. Part of the wait time for the perm. license is validation from your current home state. I'm in IL so I'm not able to use Nurys -I have to send in the paperwork and wait for processing from IL then wait for them to mail it to TX and wait for that processing as well. You should be fine if a prospective employer will allow you to work under the temp license while your perm one is processing.. that I'm not sure about.

I applied online for the temp license a week ago (sent the $186 via the site). I am in IL and Nurys does not provide verification to Tx for me. Does anyone know if I have to wait for the temp license correspondence to get finger printed and submit my fees/paper work to IL? And is that just the one page paper in the Texas packet? - of course I've read the instructions, there are just multiple packets and it is a bit confusing. The waiting game is the norm, I know. Thanks!

Ok thanks! I'm paying the $186 today, wait for fingerprint info, take this exam and I'm all set. Sounds good.

Once a temp license is issued, what is needed for it to become a perm. License? I'm trying to relocate from IL but don't have a specific time frame locked in (pending hubby's job options)? I'd like to get a Texas Rn license so my applications will get looked at. I'm looking to stay with Hospice and would like to set up interviews for March with multiple companies ( crossing fingers) TIA

When we have had these types of situations at my hospice, we simply require staff to "buddy up". If there is a CNA seeing the pt, the RN and CNA need to coordinate visits. Or SW/Chaplain if there is no CNA. Frequencies may need to be adjusted to accommodate, but for safety reasons and extra support for the pt and family, there is no reason it can not be justified (If your company get a bit fussy in that regard). I would refuse to go alone. By asking for someone to make ALL visits with you you are not refusing but are presenting an answer/option. Good luck!

FTT and Debility will no longer be acceptable as Terminal Dx beginning in 2014, as I have been notified by my hospice. After very briefly searching online, I found this page http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/cms-issues-proposed-hospice-payment-upda-90381/ You may want to do your own Google search and see what you come up with. I would say that many of my Debility and FTT Pts are pretty borderline on appropriateness.. While some decline rapidly, it's a stretch for some.. IMO

Chicagoland IL RN $27.50/hour salary ($57k) case manager Mon-Fri Backup on call aprx 3 days month $2/weekday, $4/weekend beeper time $65 for the visit if called out I think we're around $0.48 per mile

There are many things to consider and it won't be "easy" but if to go to your home is what she is asking for AND what you are comfortable with - then you can make it work. If getting a 2-bedroom will force you into a year long lease you aren't sure you can afford then stay in your 1-bedroom.. The reality is that there will most likely come a time when she may become heavily if not completely dependent on you/others for ADLs and may be mostly bed confined and/or require help with transfers.. if/when that time comes she really shouldn't be left home alone at all and hospice can't offer custodial care to stay with her. Some hospices offer 24/hr care for acute needs/changes in patient status to offer care and teaching to the family about how to care for the pt, but generally they can't leave their staff (or shouldn't) if there isn't a family caregiver present in the home also. As for what to expect, it varies with everyone. I highly, highly recommend this little booklet. http://www.gonefrommysight.com/goneFromMySight.html The hospice your mother-in-law is signed up with may offer this or something similar, (I have worked for Hospice for 6 years as a CNA, and now I'm starting as a LPN). This one specifically is a very easy read and isn't stuffed with complicated explanations or "big words". It comes down to your comfort level. Anything can work, a bed can be placed in the living room area - I see that alot. And depending on her financial sources, LTC with hospice services is a nice combination. Good luck and thoughts and prayers are sent your way! :redbeathe

Hello, I'm not sure what state your mother lives in, but in Illinois there are many ALFs that offer memory care. Residents that live in ALFs can remain in the facility (if the facility agrees to continue to provide a higher level of care than the 'norm') until end of life under Hospice care or in some cases Home Health care if appropriate. Another idea if your mom is in the earlier stages of Alzheimer's: if your mother has the available funds, hiring a caregiver either for 24 hours or partial day, in addition to the staff at the facility is an option many of the patients I care for use. If those are not options for you, I can understand your distress in the idea of moving your mother to a skilled nursing facility. Many of those also have Alzheimer's Units or locked units if elopement is an issue. Research all of your facility options online and seek the advice from the Director and other staff members where your mother is now. Facilities hate to loose patients, and they may be able to provide you with some great advice or connections to be able to make the best decision you can. I hope everything works out and you are able to arrange something comfortable for all involved! ~ Katie Hospice CNA - 6 years and a new LPN!

I have a decent sized tattoo on my left inner wrist. It can be almost totally covered with a watch. So far, the only issue I have come across is that during our OB rotation we were not allowed to wear a watch (handling the newborns) and I needed to cover my tat due to "strict hospital policy". I tried a duoderm - didnt work, you can see through them. I tried a bandage - didn't work and was tacky. Every time you wash your hands you would need a new one. And I didn't bother with makeup - I only imagine hand washing would remove that as well.. I guess I was lucky because my instructor didn't make a big stink about it. It really is a ridiculous policy.. I've seen plenty of nurses in the field who look dirty and unkept with dirty fingernails.. to me, that is a far bigger problem than a tattoo. But, things will change in time. I would however change schools. They never should have let you enroll if they knew they would be kicking you out. That's bad business. It's especially silly since a tattoo in that area is easily covered with a watch which is generally required anyway! Good luck and definitely fight it and find a different school. Keep your books, you may be able to use them at the next school you find. If not, they make great references which you will need for the papers you will be writing.

I am currently taking an online Pharm class.. I, personally, do not care for it - at all. We do not even have the option to take this course in a classroom, only online is offered. I suppose if you have a good instructor it would make it a bit less stressing and confusing. And a good textbook would be great. I do much better learning in person, and even though my instructor provides podcasts, I do not gain much from them. They are poorly recorded and there is too much extra, non-important information in them so I don't waste my time listening to them anymore. It is very frustrating. We take online quizes, which are not correlated with the text. So it's pretty much up to Google and a good guess to get the answers right. The tests are mostly based on the quizes and are less complex - we go to the school to take those as they are not open-book. Overall, I am just very dissatisfied with this course. It would have been great if we were given the choice to take this before the start of the semester (my first, it's an ADN program), but we were not. Once started with the nursing classes/clinical/labs, all else falls off to the side and is not as much of a priority as far as study time. I hope some of you have better luck! Katie, SN :)

I'm still a student, but we were just told last week to never write anything negative, such as med not available, on the MAR or in the pt charting. we were told that is throwing our co-workers under the bus so to speak and that when there is an issue as a result of other staff/faculty we should write it up on whatever our facility provides such as an abnormal occurrence or something like that. documentation takes awhile to get down and will start to flow after awhile. one of those things that come with time we were told. good luck to you!

My other question would be what if you are not enrolled full time..? Do you only become eligible for the tuition/fee payments and not for the living stipend?

There is no way to apply for 2010 at this time, correct? It says ( is this the right website? http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/rural_health/rural_NESP_more_details.htm) all applications must be postmarked by May 31st of the current year. Do I have to wait until 2011 after I have filed my 2010 taxes to apply? I never knew about this scholarship until just a few weeks ago - I wish I would have! I'm a first semester nursing student at my community college. I will definitely apply as soon as possible.