intermediateRN

Hi, I took a position as a hospice coordinator back in June. Prior to that I have 5 years of home health and hospice case management. Since taking this position I have been very overwhelmed. I carry approx 7 patients that I case manage and am trying to keep up on all of my "coordinator" duties. Twice now I've had meltdowns at work where I get so stressed I just start crying and can't stop! My question for any coordinators out there, what are your duties/responsibilities? Do you carry patients too? I love hospice and I love my patients I'm just not sure this job is for me ☹️

It depends on where you work. I work for the health dept. in home health and it is VERY flexible, I work 8 hr. days, 1 wknd q 2 mo. and 1-2 holidays a yr. I really like my job, it is perfect if you have kids and want to be home every night for dinner, homework, etc. Keep looking, it could be just what you are looking for! Good luck

I left after 6 mos. First time I have ever done that, yes I felt unprofessional, but I was working an hour from home, 12 hr. night shift, etc. I left on a good note and have no regrets. There are a lot of threads about when to leave your first crappy nursing job...it's so individual...you know if you need to leave or not, just follow your gut.

Hey there, I was in a very similar situation....graduated May 2010, was ecstatic, got a job at a large hospital an hour from my house in their 6 month residency program, no contract but a verbal "I am committed" kind of a thing. And, the truth is I was committed at that time. I finished the residency, and started working nights on my home unit. One month later I was looking for another job. The 12 hr. shifts were 15 hr. w/the drive and the 30 min. before and after for report. I was exhausted, a walking zombie, and dreaded going to work. I have two girls at home and I literally would go days w/o spending time w/them. I decided enough of this crap and spent 3 week submitting apps, I got one call-back and did one interview and I luckily got that job. It was 25 min. from my house doing home health/hospice. I'm still there and really like it. I say absolutely find something else if this situation isn't working. But, don't take a diff. job an hour away, go for the hosp. close to home, an hour is too far and too much money in gas. I know it's a very hard decision, I wish you the best of luck :)

Thanks Auddoc, you know I def feel the way you do, that this recommendation won't be a requirement for quite some time. But, I have noticed one or two schools (out of many) that have already d/c'd their MSN NP programs so I felt like maybe I wasn't taking it seriously enough. I've already applied to an online RN-MSN FNP program and I feel good about the decision. It's what my gut is telling me to do. Thanks for the advice and input, very much appreciated :)

FYI- University of South Alabama has several online options and their min. GPA is 2.75

Thanks mammac5, you wrote exactly what I was thinking...thanks for helping me put things in perspective :)

Yes, I have seen programs admit w/a 2.8 or above, can't remember names b/c I've looked at so many! Go to bestnursingdegree.com and you can look at the schools in your area or at any state in the US. Unfortunately, you're going to have to set aside several hours to look at each schools admissions requirements. But, it's def worth it, good luck :)

In a nutshell, I have a BS in social work and an ADN. I want to become a FNP. Do I A) get a BSN and pursue a BSN-DNP route OR B) get a MSN-FNP and hope I can practice w/it when I'm done. What would you do? I'm kind of going crazy here, argh! decisions, decisions....

Yes, I know your struggle and I can tell you it takes time to find your nitch....I was convinced I wanted to pursue trauma/crit care for a long time, I worked on a cardiac stepdown unit for 6 months and I'm now doing homecare/hospice and LOVE it!! Never in a million years would I have thought I would be where I am. Just take a job that feels right and you'll start to find out where you want to be, good luck :)

Take the surgery center job and don't look back :)

Congrats, I think that is great!!! especially if it's something you are really interested in. Experience in anything is invaluable, and makes you no less of a nurse than one on a med-surg floor. Good luck

The grass isn't greener honey!! I agree with Gemini...hospitals are tough! I work on a very busy cardiac stepdown unit and am currently interviewing for home health/case management positions. I would LOVE a Dr. office. When I leave the hosp. I am exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally. All the BS isn't worth it, I feel like I've lost my spirit. This isn't what nursing is to me. I don't feel you should stay if you really don't like it, trust me I know what that feels like. But, maybe think about something other than the hosp. And, the hour drive sucks!! I do it now and daydream about something closer. Good luck, I know you will find what you're looking for

Wow, that is great, I am so happy for you I started my first RN job Aug. 2010 and I am looking for another job right now....I actually recently applied for a hospice case manager position too! I've got my fingers and toes crossed hoping for the best! I am miserable at my job, it's so different than I imagined it would be. I'm depressed for 24 hr. before my shift and am so relieved when it's over. I have panic attacks, cry, etc. And, that is not me! It's so stressful in so many different ways. I don't believe the hospital is for me so I'm continuing my journey to find my niche, I know it's out there somewhere. Again, congrats on your new job, that is great news :)

Hi there...I'm so sorry you have this problem, I know EXACTLY how you feel, been struggling with blushing since I was about 10 or 11. I'm now almost 30 and have perfected some techniques over the years to get through the day :). One thing that really works is if you're talking to someone and become embarressed for whatever reason do what you can to shift the attention to them....ask them a random question about anything and make them talk, it will give you time to "cool" off. I do that often and it works everytime! And, if you are blushing while talking w/someone act as if you are totally oblivious to it, keep talking like everything is just fine, it will help you get your color back faster. If someone HAS to point out the obvious (which is sooooo frustrating) just say you have really sensitive skin, or say, "gosh, it's really hot in here.....is anyone else hot too?" or say, "I think I'm getting sick, I feel flushed" This tends to prevent a bad situation from getting worse. Over time it gets better, it's really about self-confidence, it builds with time and experience. I've also learned not to care what people think....because they don't really know what's behind the red face, if they knew, I'm sure they would think twice about pointing it out. Good luck and hang in there!!!! :redbeathe fellow blusher