Question for Hospice LPNs

JamiR369 · Apr 19, 2012

I'm a new nurse. Not new to Healthcare, worked in hospitals for about 15 yrs as phlebotomist, unit secretary,monitor/EKG tech and then the last 5 yrs as a cert Endoscopy Tech . So I guess you can say I've been around the hospital a bit. I graduated last june 2011 and could only find work in long term care and I hate it. Its not the kind of nursing that I had always seen in the hospital that made me wanna be a nurse. Last month I went to the hospital I had worked at and saw a posting for a per diem LPN on the inpatient Hospice unit. I applied and got the job. I've been doing 3 days in LTC and 2 days in Hospice and I have to say " ILOVE IT!!! " I'm next in line for a full time postion when one opens up and i will leave my LTC job in a heartbeat! Its much more like hospital nursing but ln a more relaxed setting. Nobody is in a hurry. You only get a few patients so you have more one on one time. I feel that its much more rewarding. As long as death doesnt bother you, its great! Good luck to you...

Melissarambolpn · Apr 20, 2012

Thank you so much for responding. I have been doing research, and it seems like all Hospice nurses love their jobs. I definitely think this is the direction my career needs to go.

Nurse2919 · Apr 22, 2012

I have been an LVN for 5 years.... Have done hospice,LTC,homecare... I can promise you will LOVE hospice nursing!!!! Best time of my so far nursing career. Everyday when I returned home from work I knew I made feel someone comfortable. Not just the pt even thier families!!! Just loved it!!!

DanielleKemp · Apr 29, 2012

I have been a LPN for 12 years, have done LTCF, clinics, home health and hospice. Currently been a hospice nurse for about 4 years. I LOVE IT!!! Its by far the most rewarding position I have held. You meet amazing people and get to spend time getting to know them and their families. I am half way through the RN program now and absolutely plan on staying with hospice. I truely feel like it is my calling. Good luck and best wishes!!

tewdles, RN · Apr 30, 2012

Welcome to hospice!

midlife_nurse · May 2, 2012

I had been intrigued by hospice since nursing school- one of my instructors was also a hospice nurse and encouraged us to check it out. I experienced hospice care up close with two family members, and ended up going to work with one of those agencies, being trained by and working with some of the nurses who cared for my loved one. It's very rewarding to be able to bring my own experience with hospice to family and patients that don't know what to expect, and it's an honor to care for them during this difficult time. I love it and feel like I've found my calling.

Nurselightsey · May 7, 2012

lpn 17yrs, in 3 different states and i have to tell you hospice is the most rewarding work i have ever done. i am of the belief that dying is the most spiritual thing anyone can do and to be a part of that journey shows that they trust and believe in you. the families are so appreciative of all that you do. on a personal level for me is the committment i find in the husbands and wives who have been married for 60 and 70 yrs and one takes care of the other....yes i do become attached but sometimes thats what families need. i have developed great relationships workin in hospice, and i hope you will enjoy it as well.

:redpinkhe

prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP · May 7, 2012

I have been a home hospice nurse for about 2 years, I love, love, love it:)! The freedom to work as I please, noone harrasses me. They just trust me to do my job. I dont have to do much, basic assessment, and anything I find wrong is reported to the RN and she handles it from there because she is the case manager. She even calls the doctor for me. I provide comfort care, refill meds. Its low stress, the only down side is I work for with about 6 case managers, some are not reliable and you cant get a report so like a blind visit to some places and my patients are within 60 miles in either direction from my office. It might take me 75 miles to get to my first patient, depending on who I decide to work for that day and. The wear and tear on my new car is nuts. I have replaced my windshield 3 times in 6 months. Also the attachment to some of the patients. I have attended many funerals and made lifelong friends with some of the families. I have so many clippings from the paper where and funeral programs where I was mentioned. Another pro here thats one of the highest paid specialities. I made RN salary for the last couple of years, I leave home at 9 am and most days im home by 2 pm:)

caliotter3 · May 13, 2012

One thing to be mindful of: exact nature of your employment commitment. Nature of the condition makes for a 'less secure' scheduling option. I work for a secondary staffing agency. We pick up shifts not covered by the hospice agency regular employees. More times than not, I have been given an assignment, only to arrive at the home to find the patient has passed, or to get called and told the patient passed prior to me leaving home. You need to know up front how you will be paid and how this all works out. I have not been paid show up pay for going to the home expecting to work. Should the patient pass during my shift, if ten minutes into it, I am only paid for the minimum amount of time, according to agency policy. While we don't go into this line of nursing for the money, you can't expect a steady paycheck if you are waiting for calls that never materialize or showing up for work and don't work. Just something to consider.