dleechpn

I recently retired from nursing for many of the reason you bring up. I had planned to work to 65, but left at 62 after working 10 hours, seeing 7 hospice patients, driving 161 miles and being told at 1645 that I had an admission to do which would take another 5 hours and another 50 miles, and would not be considered overtime. I gave my 2 weeks notice the next day. The focus was not on the patient, who was stable and in a facility. The focus was not on my safety, or public safety related to having an overworked tired nurse on the road. The focus was getting census numbers up. I truly miss my patients and co-worker who are wonderful caring people, but do not miss management. I've been management and know the pressure they are under, but the focus has to be those who are on the front line, not those in the ivory tower.

Keep in mind that sometimes sarcasm is sometime a way of hiding pain. A lot of time COPD patients are angry because they are scared. Might try a join visit with the SW. Even though he did not want one. If SW can just get a foot I the door it might help. Listen for the hidden meaning behind the anger. Remember it's only an hour out of your week, it's the end of his life

One of the 1st rules of an emergency situation is secure the area. If you are killed or I injured you are of no help to others. We as nurses are not trained to care for trauma in the field. That is what the EMT's and Paramedic do. If we come up on an accident we can secure the area, keep the calm, put pressures on active bleeding, try to keep them immobile and report to the EMS when it arrives. Of course can always do CPR if needed. When EMS arrives let them take over and back out. Never give meds, may interfere with er assessment, mask symptoms, or cause bleeding.

I agree with the pervious post. Patients are evaluated at each visit for eligibility. If at any time this is in question it is brought to team and if determined that the patient is no longer eligible then the discharge process begins. The patient/family is given a letter of denial which they have 2 days to contest. If they do not contest the patient may be discharged to a safe environment with appropriate care.

I know what on call is of course but what is for season?

The short answer is yes. It becomes your life if you let it. The deeper answer is that hospice is a gift and a calling. You are witness to one of the most trying and intimate time in people's lives. If you are called to do hospice it will not let you do anything else. I love what I do, I love my patient's and families I have been doing hospice for almost 12 years and although it is emotional and physically draining at time, it is a big part of who I am. Don't worry about loss of skills, you will use skills you did not know you had. If you are looking for a 9-5 job it is not for you, however if you want a career that will make a real difference In people's lives this just may be your calling. Good luck and know you have a very special group of people around you for support

We have a comfort kit that is deliver by Hospice Pharmacia when we admit a patient. iWork in a mainly rural area and we only have 2 24 hour pharmacies in a 70 mile area