kota110

I am a former hospice and current home health RN with excellent writing skills. I have wanted to publish a book to help caregivers, both medical and personal, with their roles and experiences when caring for the dying. Does anyone have any tips for me? I am looking to get stories from other nurses and caregivers to include in the book. I am asking other nursing websites if I can ask their members to submit them to me. Would I have to offer compensation? I don't know if I will have to self-publish or even receive any compensation from this book, but want to do it as it is a passion for me. I was thinking of offering a couple free copies of the book to each person that I use their story. Are there any good websites for writing hints? Do I need an agent? I would appreciate any help you can offer! Thanks, Michelle B, RN, BSN

I am a late bloomer. I went back to school when I was 40, getting a BSN in 2013. I have always wanted to be an NP, but thought I would be too old to go back plus don't want the debt. It keeps coming back around. I finally decided I think I will go for it. I am 46 years old, will probably be 50 or so by the time I finish, but hope it's worth it. I guess I want to know, do you think it will be worth it? I know I can do it, but just need to be prepared for the work. Also, how hard is NP program compared to Nursing School? Is the old saying "three hours of outside time for each credit" accurate? Thanks!

That's wonderful! I wish I had the same experience during my first year out of school. I have had so many trainers and preceptors that it has been an uphill battle the entire time. I would even go as far as to say that it was worse than going through school. But, I know that every experience is a chance to grow and learn and I will be a terrific nurse one day. Thanks for sharing this and knowing that maybe one day I can make a positive difference in someone else's experience.

I, too, am a newer nurse that found it very depressing to go to work at a hospital. I hate the large number of patients with the high expectations. I am realizing, after losing two jobs, I am starting to know what I like and don't like. If you are so miserable, it might be misinterpreted as insecurity and lack of knowledge, be careful. My advice is to look for something else. Get your experience but don't be so hard on yourself. Try to learn from every day and take everything you see and hear as a deposit in the knowledge bank for your future. It sucks now, but soon someone will ask you something and you will be able to say, "oh, yeah I have done that before." I can't wait to say I have been a nurse for a full year (July)! I can't believe how rough this year has been. It's nice to know you are not alone and one day all of this will pay off. Believe in yourself.

TammyG, thank you your post means a lot to me.

I graduated from college with BSN in May 2013. I am 45 years old and decided to become a nurse as a second career. I have been toying with the idea of becoming an NP, but want to look at all the pros and cons. I am scared to get even further into debt for another degree when I am finding this one hasn't opened as many doors as I had hoped. I can always get "work", but I don't want it to be about that. I want to love my job and help people. Since I am 45, I feel like the clock is ticking and that I don't have the luxury to wait and see if it's something I want to. I feel I have limited time as it is and also don't want to be out of the school mode for too long, knowing it would be even harder to get back in. I would need to have an online program and not sure if I could handle a full credit load every semester while working. I know academically I could do the work, I guess I am afraid to make that commitment not knowing how much of a ROI I would get. Also, I want to do gero, but wonder if that would limit my job opportunities and should I go for ACNP instead? Any suggestions, help on schools, or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Thank you for all the responses. What do you find has been the single most important attribute or experience that has made you successful in hospice? Is it as rewarding as I think it will be?

I so feel the same way! I graduated in May 13 and really hate Med/Surg. I was even questioning why I entered nursing if I don't want to do that but I want to do home care and hospice. I would take the day job!

I graduated with my BSN in May 2013. I had a very successful sales career for over 20 years but wanted to make a difference. I have always wanted to do hospice nursing. My first job out of school, I didn't have the confidence nor clinical skills that they expected to handle over 6 patients and lost that job. I work in a LTC/Rehab facility on a casual basis. Unfortunately, I think my sales skills are so good that I was able to get a job on a med/surg floor that was in a rural area where you would be the CNA, HUC and RN most of the time for up to 6 patients. I found that I was overwhelmed doing all that and couldn't do my patients justice trying to do it all based on my limited experience. Plus, there were nurses that were my preceptors that were making up rumors about me (administering too much morphine and needing narcan to get the patient out of it!), that I found it hard to trust anyone. Now I stand as a casual nurse in the LTC/Rehab with two failures behind me. I was one of the standouts in school, on many extracurriculars and a single mother. I have a huge heart and have been repeatedly commended on my people skills and attention to detail. I have found I love the geriatric patients. My patients love me. I just don't like med/surg and feel that I really want to be a hospice nurse. I have found myself second guessing my decision to go back to school and giving up a secure, lucrative career. It seems that the only jobs open to a new grad is med/surg or LTC. I also volunteer in hospice nursing where I visit patients and support them and their families. I love it and know in my heart, this is what I was meant for. I guess my questions are: 1. If I go into LTC/rehab, can I get hospice down the line? It seems it's more of med dispensing to over 20+ patients and never get to spend more than 1 minute per patient. 2. I have tried for hospice jobs and they say they want med/surg experience, is that the only way? 3. Are there other nursing specialities that would utilize my strengths but not require that med/surg be the only past experience? 4. Would additional education be helpful, such as masters in geriatrics or case management or even certification in hospice? I would appreciate any help you could give.

I am kind of new to this site. What Study Guide are you referring to on AllNurses? I am scheduled for NCLEX July 2.