hmiller621

I spent over a year looking for a job after I graduated, in CA. Could only get in with a SNF. I was super lucky to find out I knew someone who worked at the Hospice company I'm currently at. She gave me a reference and I was able to get an interview. From there I was able to talk myself in. luckily my company doesn't require acute care experience. An RN who was hired at the same time as I was is a new grad, no experience. So I know there are hospices that will hire you. I know how difficult it is and my only advice is to stay persistent. If you can get an interview you can talk up your experience and explain why you'd be right for hospice. good luck!

I know some hospices operate differently but I'll tell you a little about mine. I'm an LVN. I work M-F with one weekend on call a month. I usually have 10-15 pts that I see 2x a week. I get paid from 8am-5pm and in that time I typically see 5-8 pts and chart. each visit lasts about 30min-1hr, depending on the pt and what they need. I drive to see pts in their home, assisted living or SNF. Usually a visit consists of a full assessment including pain and comfort management, giving supplies, checking/refilling meds, assessing effectiveness of meds and ordering new meds. A lot of the job is talking with the family, tons of education about dse process and med admin, and helping them deal with the whole process. My day is usually pretty flexible and I'm able to make my own schedule, usually I can spend as much time with my pts as they need. For an RN the job is similar except they are case managers, so they see less pts per week and have a lot more paperwork, they coordinate the care of their pts with the whole team.

I know how you feel..I lasted about 4 months in LTC! I knew I could not spend the rest of my career with that kind of stress. My new job is a lot of driving, but I make my own schedule and have plenty of time to spend with my patients and their families. And they genuinely appreciate me being there for them. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

I just wanted to say that I'm new to hospice, just finished my first week on my own. So far I absolutely love it. I came from LTC where I frequently came home in tears from the stress. I was certain I didn't want to be a nurse anymore and was looking into going back to school. This job kind of fell in my lap. I love the interaction with the patients and families. I know there will be difficult times but I have never felt so appreciated as a nurse in any other job. In LTC most pts dreaded seeing me because they didn't want to take their meds or have me do a tx. Most families were upset about something, usually something another nurse did or didn't do. I'm so glad I decided to try another field and for anyone wanting something less stressful and more fulfilling, give hospice a try.

LVN Ca $25/visit $21/hr otherwise $3/on call 50 cents per mile we have a about 20 pts that we see 2x/week and on call one weekend day a month

I was in your shoes for awhile working in an SNF. I absolutely hated it. I was stressed out everyday, went home crying on a regular basis and strongly questioned my career choice. I didn't think I wanted to be a nurse anymore. I decided to try one more field before giving up. I just started in hospice a couple of weeks ago. I have my own patient load and do routine visits, to homes, assisted livings and SNF's. I love it! You deal with one pt at a time and really have the opportunity to care for them and make them comfortable. you are able to really connect with your pts and their families. Hospice may not be for everyone as I know its really difficult emotionally. But before you give up on nursing, find a field where you have more time with your pts. a company where the philosophy is pt first, and I promise you that you will love nursing. but you won't find that in a nursing home or a hospital.

I just accepted a position with a home health agency in San Bernadino county. I'm an LVN with limited experience. I will be making $25/visit plus 50 cents per mile. I will have about 10 pts a day. I would find another agency if I were you!

Hey guys I could really use some advice. I've been working in and SNF for about 3 months now as an LVN. I only have about 8 months experience as a nurse. I hate this job and dread going into work everyday. This is a nice facility too. I work the 7-3 shift, it is a 45 bed facility with 2 LVN's one 1 RN on at a time. I work as the charge nurse/med nurse/tx nurse. The RN does the desk and all the IV's. My DON loves to tell us how easy we all have it. I understand it is the best possible set up for an SNF and I probably won't do better. However, this job makes me feel like I am not cut out for nursing. I usually get everything done on time but I rarely take a break. as charge nurse I am constantly pulled from med pass to handle every situation whether it be to do a tx or talk to the MD or deal with a crisis. I sometimes feel like my med pass isn't safe because I rarely get through one pt without an interruption. I feel incredibly stressed out everyday. I go home in tears a couple times a week. I'm starting to get routines down and manage my time more effectively but I still continue to feel overwhelmed the majority of the time. If I can't handle a SNF job in the best possible circumstances, should I go back to the drawing board? Today I gave my notice because I decided I just couldn't do it anymore. when I got home I got a call from the Director of the facility telling me she thinks I'm doing a great job and she wants me to stay. She just fired the DON and is going to bring in a DON who "will do a much better job", she tells me things will get better. The other nurses who have been there for years seem just as stressed as I am. It doesn't really seem like it will ever get better. I had decided to go back to waiting tables where I can make the same amount of money and not go home in tears and rethink my career choice. Am I being too hasty or should I follow my heart? I'm so conflicted about this decision. Any advice would be appreciated.