mimiv123

Personally, money is not an issue for me, though obviously there is a huge difference in pay for inpt. versus outpt. Putting in an avg of 60 hrs a week on a salary does feel abusive, but i'm not sure financial compensation would help, though it would definitely not hurt! So many people i work with are really drawn to the work, but are unable to balance the work demands and home life without difficulty. I have found that there are great expectations in this field about "dedication". I do believe that this can be used to the detriment of case managers, social workers, ect. As for the "calling" of hospice, the most long-term staff at our organization happens to be nuns!

Hi all. I was wondering if the organizations that you all work for are having the issues that mine does, in regard to staff turnover. To my knowledge, staff turnover at our hopice here in philly has been at its current level for the last two years. That level, to me, seems inordinate. Just last month we had 5 rns and 2 msws leave. Administration blames it on growing pains,but I see it as poor planning, poor training of those in administration and management, chronically poor staffing, ect. What is your opinion? Is this just something we as nurses are just expected to accept? Perhaps my expectations are too great for hospice care.

yes, all important. also, ask about the degree of staff turnover, and what is being done to prevent it. This is usually a prominent sign of poor management and disregard of staff needs.

I too am a 50 yo hospice case manager. Having done several disciplines prior to arriving at hospice, i truly felt i found my calling within nursing. The philosophy of care and the people i have met through hospice has been very rewarding. the problem lies in the increasing time constraints and work load to provide adequate care.Though policies and regulations are meant to provide standards of safe care, i often think that they produce unwanted side-effects. Nurse burnout, distraction from personal care of an individual and family. Typical workloads of full time hospice rns run from 16-20. There is hardly enough time in the day to provide good care, let alone adequate care, then have a life outside of one's work life.Unfortunately, that kind of balance is not encouraged, though i think we all know the value of it.