CHPN1680

The mega corporate hospices - Vitas, Odyssey, Vistacare, all do about 80% of their business in nursing homes where the length of stay is much longer. They mostly invest their marketing dollars in the nursing facilities. They hire nursing home medical...

We take many patients with TPN as many hospices will not. Every situation is different. Most often, these patients are coming from an acute care setting where the focus has been on curative measures. Most often, doctors and other health care professi...

I agree. I work for a for profit and have not experienced the "trolling". I have always been proud that we continue to do the right thing for the patient and family regardless of the cost. I have heard of less than ethical practices in both non prof...

I have not heard of this approach but I think that I like it! I know that the prospect of this kind of interview seems a bit overwhelming but view it as an opportunity for you to ask them what they value in an RN Case Manager. I think that it speaks ...

I was an LPN for 12 years. I worked sub-acute and LTC. I always wanted to work in hospice but LPN's were really not employed in hospice in my area either. When I finally finished the RN program, I applied for a job as a case manager in hospice and go...

Check out http://www.hpna.org . There are lots of links etc.. that may help you find some good info and advice.

I have run into similar problems with patients as ALF's. Often, the problem becomes a financial one because some patients are often running low on financial resources and the addition of private caregivers can threaten their financial ability to stay...

The nursing program is ovewhelming for everyone. You stated yourself that you haven't been doing the reading or studying enough. There many things that you can do to improve your grades. Without knowing your situation with other obligations, it's har...

My mom has been working in CT for many years. I have heard her speak of this ridiculousness of having an R.N. co-sign orders. This is something fairly recent. Not only has she been charge nurse for many years, but often the only IV certified nurse on...

Congratulations! Enjoy the rewards resulting from your hard work. Welcome to Nursing!

As I sit here reading postings, I can hear in the backgound continuous reports on Fox news about Terri's case. It is rather unfortunate that what should be a personal matter has become such a media circus! At least some good has come of this. People...

When I first started in LTC, I worked for a facility that still used the old ticket system for meds. I thought that it worked great! You would pre-pour meds and the tray had holes in it for the med cups with slots behind each cup for the ticket with ...

Thanks for the info. I will check it out.

I have been using Epocrates on my PDA for 2 years and am quite pleased with it. I have not seen the Davis Drug Guide for PDA's. Is there anyone out there who has used both and what is your opinion? Thanks!

We do lab work quite often and for different reasons. It is very appropriate to use lab work for diagnostic reasons in order to provide the correct treatment. We also will draw labs if there is a question of eligibility especially in the case a patie...

I grant PTO requests based on the order they are received. The PTO calendar is posted and up-to-date. You can look at it and make requests based on what is available. I find it to be the fairest way to do it. Those with seniority have the benefit of ...

Absolutely! I have always been glad for the help. I always try to give an extra detailed report and a quick orientation to the unit. The patients deserve that.

it certainly is not an easy situation. we don't do a very good job in this country at talking about these things before the situation arises. i would be o.k. with having a feeding tube inserted if there was a reasonable amount of hope that eventually...

I agree. How many out there would want to stay alive in that state? Take everything else out of the equation. I can't imagine anyone knowing that this would be the state in which they existed would say that they would rather live that way than to die...

I was working in a LTC facility and there was a celebration for one of the residents. It was her 100th Birthday. She was quite somnolent as the party began so I spoke to her reminding her that this was her Birthday Party. I then asked if she know how...

It sounds like you have enough MDS staffing if they would allow you to stick to just that. I was an MDS Coordinator for 9 years in facilities from 60 to 250 beds. At the 250 bed facility, there were 3 of us to cover the building for MDS. Our medicare...

Congratulations on your scores and you hard work. I am sorry that these people are so disappointing but "keep your eye on the prize". You have worked hard for this. Share your experience with the mature, grown ups in your class and let the others do ...

Please don't let that nurse care for anyone that I know! It is truely unfortunate that a nurse (especially in a LTCF ) does not understand the benefits of hospice. Obviously this nurse knows nothing about the benefits of morphine in end of life care....

I must say that for the most part, in my day to day practice, I don't even consider my gender. My interaction with others is based on who I am not on my gender. That being said, certainly there are some times when gender affects what I do. It is wort...

We have LPN's that help the case managers with routine visits and the also do continuous care. It really does vary from state to state and agency to agency. It sounds like you would be a welcome addition to hospice. You must be mindful of boundary l...