momorn

My only nursing experience is hospice. I've been a nurse for only 8 months. My first job was case manager for a hospice company. I just recently switched to weekend on call because the hours for the case manager position were grueling, 50 to 60 hours a week. I don't think it was really my lack of experience that made the hours so long because the other nurses worked just as many hours. I asked if these hours were normal on this site and a lot of people said yes. I think it depends on the company and how much support you get from your team leader. But, I really like hospice and plan to stay the on call nurse for a long time.

No more 50 to 60 hours a week for me!! I'm weekend on call now. Thank you AtlantaRN for your insiration! I have a life now! I don't know how other nurses feel but I need a balance between nursing and a creative life. I love nursing it fills that need in me to be good for something and to give to others but I also need time to write stories and songs and do art and bring beauty into the world in that way as well. Does anyone else feel this way?

Yeah, I'm the weekend on call nurse, now!!!!I worked for 8 months as a case manager and just couldn't take it any more. I went into see my supervisor and give her my resignation. She told me she didn't want to lose me (which was real nice to hear) and offered me the weekend on call position! I've been doing the weekends for a couple of weeks now and I just LOVE it. Thank you everyone! I love my life now.

Roze Room Hospice. (Los Angeles area)

I looked for 6 months and sent out over 200 resumes. I finally got hired by a hospice company, the one I really wanted to work for! I think it was because I e-mailed them all the time telling them how much I wanted to work for their ccompany. They showed me all my e-mails at the interview! They required 2 years experience and I was a new grad. Persistance paid off for me maybe it will for you.

The company i work for is for profit.

I do on call and admits. I work an average of 55 hours a week. I'm so exhausted. But I want to work for a year at least so I can have something good on a resume. I love hospice. It's why I became a nurse. But I hate these hours and apparently they are the norm for hospice. I would love to do night shifts because I'm such a night owl I find it hard to function during the day but They use LVNs for that.

I have been working as a case manager in hospice for 6 months now. It is my first job as a nurse. I think the company I work for is more demanding than most from what I'm seeing on this forum. I have a case load of 25 patients but I have an LVN. I am just now starting to have days that I like. It has been VERY hard but I can see a little light at the end of the tunnel now, so be real patient with yourself and the job. Wishing you lots of luck and encouragement!

Al the nuses at my company spend all their time working. I feel sorry for the ones that have kids. Are there any hospice companies in the Los Angeles area that don't overwork their nurses? I'm thinking of doing weekend on call work just so I can have a life.

Me Too

Hi AddieRN, I have been a hospice case manager for six months now. This is my first job as a nurse. I wish I only had a case load of 12. I have a case load of 25 and it is hell! I sure hope all nusing jobs are not like this. It breaks my heart to think this is what nursing is like. Your company sounds a lot more reasonable. I wish you lots of luck!

AtlanaRN, Thank you for your reply. Many times I have a days where I'm driving back and forth over the same roads. I live near Los Angeles and the traffic is horrendeous! The company doesn't take drivng time or paper work time into consideration. All of the nurses have to do stacks of paper work on their own time with no pay for that. We all work 50 to 60 hours a week but generally only get paid for 40. Just this morning I thought I would see if I could talk to my superviser about doing weekend on call work. I just hate not having a life!

Thank you so much for your replies! I feel much better already! It is VERY SLOWLY getting easier overall. It's mainly the endless paperwork! I'll figure out what I can dump on other people and try to get more rest. Thanks again!

Hi, I'm new to nursing, been working a little over six months. I'm a case manager for a hospice company. Hospice is the area that I wanted to work in and I like that part of it but I feel like I'm being worked to death! My case load is 25 patients. I have an LVN. I work at least ten hours a day Monday through Friday and at least 5 hours on the weekend to get caught up on paper work. Most days I don't even eat lunch. I'm so exhausted and stressed out All I can think about is how much I hate my life! Is this normal? Does it get better? Thanks, momorn