mlynn

They learned to adopt care of the dying as a lifestyle. It takes first priority in their lives in that it is not simply a job that can be turned on and off like shift work at a hospital. Often it has meant cancelling personal appointments and putting off personal activities. They admit it is not a family friendly job and accept it on those terms Agree with everything in the first reply except the description above. If you are working for a well run, efficient Hospice where your management is concerned for your well being, the above does not have to be true. We, as humans, have to have some down time. I find hospice to be a very family friendly job.

I've done it too. Worked tele for years and sent a very sweet elderly lady home with her saline lock. I never did realize that I had done it, but about 2 hours after she was discharged this sweet lady came back onto the unit and discreetly came up to me in the hallway. It was the middle of winter and she had a heavy coat on. I remember thinking "what in the world is she doing?" as she pulled up her coat sleeve to expose the saline lock. I was MORTIFIED!!! I apologized and she said "its our little secret". That was the only time I ever made that mistake. Don't be too hard on yourself.

I wouldn't last one 8 hour shift in an ER. God bless you guys!

I'm so glad that you enjoyed your first hospice experience. Hopefully, you will carry that with you and maybe think of working in this wonderful field of nursing someday. I've worked in several different fields and have been a hospice nurse now for 3 years. I love it and can't see myself doing anything else. Good luck to you.

I took in on saturday. I have never taken it before, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I hate to say that and then fail, but it just didn't seem too hard. There were no drug conversions at all. Did anyone else take it? What did you guys think?

Amen! If hospice is where your heart is you will not be content in any other position. I think I can honestly say that none of us hospice nurses are in it for the money.

Our hospice also uses alot of methadone. Our medical director is great at dosing and we have very good results. Was this patient on ativan? The few bad reactions we have seen were in patients who were also taking ativan.

So sorry for your loss. You and your dear daughter will continue to be in my prayers.

I don't get on this site everyday, so I had not seen your posts. I jsut read all 14 pages and just wanted to let you know that my family will be praying for your family. Stay Godstrong!!!

Love being a nurse. Love my job. Would do it again in a heartbeat. I did floor nursing for 7 years and have done Hospice for 2 years. I enjoyed floor nursing, but have found my niche with Hospice. I love it!!!

Thank you guys so much. I'm feeling alot better, I guess I just had several really stressful days in a row and was feeling the effects. I just love the work I do with hospice. I always tell my nurse friends "My worst day at hospice is still the best job I've ever had!!!". God Bless.

Hi everyone, I have worked as a Hospice Case Manager for 2 years now. I love my job and can't imagine working anywhere else, but I find this time of year very stressful. Seems like families are so full of hope for miracles and for healing of their loved ones during the holidays. I am a Christian so I understand their faith, but as a nurse I must also look at the situation clinically and offer as much emotional support as possible. I guess what I want to know is -- Does anybody have any tips on dealing with the holiday season. Maybe I just need to take a few days off (haha). I also have had alot of deaths in the last month or so..maybe I just need a vacation.

I am a case manager for hospice. I have been an RN for 9 years. I make $21.50/hr. Our hospice pays quite a bit less than the hospitals in our area, but I still would not return to the hospital. I love working with Hospice patients and their families. (I'm in WV) God Bless.

I wouldn't flame you. I don't get a chance to check these threads very often, so I just read your reply. I just wanted to post back to you and let you know that no offense was taken. Good luck to you!

While I am sure you are working hard for your BSN, please don't underestimate the difficulty of an Associates/Diploma nursing program. I am sure the ADN vs BSN vs LPN debate has had alot of action on these threads in the past, but keep in mind we are all on the same team here. Treating nurses who don't have a BSN as if they are inferior to those who do only makes our jobs more difficult. If you enter the hospital setting feeling superior simply because of the letters after your name you will soon find yourself without alot of good nurses as resources.