AussiePupOwner

Congratulations on your new job! I've been a nurse for five years years and just started with a home hospice company and like it so far. As far as training goes: I spent several days learning Medicare policies, infection control, and what seemed like a gazillion other computer-based educational materials. I was in the office learning how to keep track of my mileage, time, how to use McKesson for patient documentation, and getting my business cards. This last week, I was out in the field with another nurse observing and learning what paperwork I need for which circumstances. For instance, our patients that are in facilities require different paperwork & documentation than our patients that are at home. I practiced contacting the pharmacy, the DME company, and the doctors. I hope this gives you an idea of what to expect and I wish you the best of luck!

I am so sorry you are going through so much right now. As a former poster mentioned, it may be a good time to get hospice involved so that more support may be provided for your family. Please take care of yourself also. Even if one has not been "close" with a parent, their death may still be painful. Don't hesitate to seek guidance for your own feelings and needs throughout this ordeal as well. Take care.

Not so much with the doctor; however, I am that way with the emergency room.

I love when I have students because I love teaching.

Thanks for the input toomuchbaloney!

Days like that can feel so demoralizing. Add to that a nasty doctor or two, meetings about patient satisfaction (warmed up food or getting trays for family members), and staffing cuts and its enough to make anyone want to quit! I was somehow able to tolerate days like you described until they cut our unit secretaries and CNAs and I put in my notice. How was I supposed to do all that and put in my own orders, answer the unit's phone, and do the CNA/PCA work also? I felt like they wanted better care with less resources and I could not SAFELY provide it under those conditions. I did school nursing for a few years and am now starting a hospice position.

Hi PinkNails! Congratulations on getting called back for another interview. My first suggestion is to concentrate on questions you may be asked during your interview and practice your responses. Some examples: What are your strengths? What do you have to offer our company and our residents? Do you have any weaknesses? What are your goals for the future? These are a few of the frequently asked questions during the interview process. Best of luck to you!

Good afternoon everyone. I've been reading your posts for quite some time and they've assisted in my decision to accept a job offer as a hospice case manager. My background is oncology and school nursing. I dealt with several end-of-life scenarios while working oncology and they always fueled my desire to work hospice. While in nursing school, I considered hospice and have utilized hospice services for my family. I had heard that case management is a salaried position and that one may not always get home when expected. I'm now an "empty-nester" and thought this would be a great time to reinvent myself and finally see if this is what I've really wanted to be when I grew up! Any advise or tips would be greatly appreciated!

The spec ed teacher or aides take care of them. I already have to deal with the the kids who are NOT spec ed that wet/soil themselves.

Our school pretty much sticks with bottled water, pretzels, and mints. My diabetics are told to stay away from the testing snacks and stick with their scheduled snacks. The first day of testing, one of my diabetics was given several mints and tested through recess, so her BG was 327! She learned her lesson and listened to me the next day!

When I do an IHP for a student with, let's say, a peanut allergy; my care plan includes informing and educating all the staff members John Q. Student will come in contact with on a regular basis. The parent signs off on this care plan; therefore, confirms having knowledge of and approves the fact that I will be sharing that information.

Sounds to me like this mother was bullying you to get her way. Stick to your guns and get the forms you legally need to have on file. Unfortunately, I have also been verbally abused and I've been given a nasty letter by a parent before. I'm trying to not let negativity get my down, and I'm getting better at it, but I've certainly had more of it since switching from oncology to school nursing.

Last time we had a problem, I emailed all the teachers and had them keep in our insect sting allergy kiddos. The principal then called in a work order to have our playground treated. Honestly, I don't know how they treat though. Sorry.

Personally, I stay inside and have the injured come into the clinic because I have pretty severe environmental allergies (pollen, etc.). Sometimes, my assistant will go out with some bandages and send the more severe injuries inside to me.

My only vent about field day: It seems all my kids whose parents have come up with all kinds of physician notes and excuses and/or raised a ruckus with the superintendent's office to have little Johnny or Jane excused from recess or PE (outdoor activity) for the entire year, suddenly recover and must be allowed to play outside in the sweltering heat on field day. Hmf! I found this out the hard way my first year of school nursing. I found indoor activities for those students to do and held them inside because they were on activity restrictions. The next day, I had a line of angry parents in the front office!