Question IF I Make The Leap Into Nursing?

Farawyn · Jun 2, 2015

I am a hospice home health aide. I enjoy providing the best patient care I can. Frankly, this is a job I LOVE. However, we should always, always, challenge ourselves.
IF I decide to, go on, and go to nursing school, as a nurse will I still provide patient care? I know there is way more paper work, responsibility, documentation, liability with nursing, BUT do nurses provide patient care?

Everyone but NOADLS does.

Purple_roses · Jun 2, 2015

I'm a home health aid too, and yesterday I visited someone on hospice. Her hospice nurse arrived shortly after I did, sat down next to my client and gave her the longest hug. After she made a few assessments, took vitals, and gave meds, she just talked with her. Her visit could have only taken 15-20 minutes, but she stayed for an hour. She was wonderful. You will absolutely be involved in patient care as a nurse.

Poppyfields00 · Jun 2, 2015

I am so fortunate, one of the nurses I work with has been at it 41 years. She is a wealth of knowledge. She had to assess my competency, and YES, I was intimidated, and she tried to trip me up, (I, actually, appreciate it---it means she has faith in me...I CAN do it.) I was so focused on my patient, I did not realize she was doing that, and answered her questions. You don't know how good it feels to, actually, find my calling and do it well.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Jun 2, 2015

Slightly off topic. I am a nursing student very interested in hospice care. Is it possible to be employed as a hospice health aide while in school?

Poppyfields00 · Jun 2, 2015

That's a good question, I don't know. I don't see why you can't but I don't know.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jun 2, 2015

I am overjoyed whenever I come across anyone who wants to become a nurse because she wants to care for patients!!!! HOORAY FOR OP!

My 2 cents... The amount of care that is(must) be provided by RNs is pretty much dictated by how 'unstable' the patient is. If the patient is very stable, the RN can delegate a lot of the care. Since organizations are always trying to cut costs, the patient care staff & model of care delivery will never be more than what is required. So, in non-acute settings, there will be more non-licensed staff. In LTC, it's not unusual to see only 1 RN on site, and s/he may be devoting a lot of time to paperwork. But in acute care (hospitals) RNs will be doing the majority of patient care.

Oceanpacific · Jun 4, 2015

You have found a job you LOVE! Since your time isn't billable you probably have a lot of freedom to spend the amount of time each of your patients need. Become an RN will completely change that dynamic. I think your work as a hospice home health aide really matters and you would be sorely missed. That is a tough one. As a nurse you would have more financial security and we would be lucky to have you. Only you can decide. Good luck.

Poppyfields00 · Jun 4, 2015

You have found a job you LOVE! Since your time isn't billable you probably have a lot of freedom to spend the amount of time each of your patients need. Become an RN will completely change that dynamic. I think your work as a hospice home health aide really matters and you would be sorely missed. That is a tough one. As a nurse you would have more financial security and we would be lucky to have you. Only you can decide. Good luck.

I think I will stay where I am. Yesterday, was surreal, I had a very saucy 90+ lady who is dying. This woman was throwing out jokes...and sass faster than I could count. I comforted her the best I could. Back rubs and touch help in some cases this was one.

Oceanpacific · Jun 4, 2015

Your patients are very fortunate.

Poppyfields00 · Jun 9, 2015

That means so much to me, thank-you.

Poppyfields00 · Jun 19, 2015

This last week, my job was difficult. Being a person who simply wants to fix things, I realize this: I cannot fix death. There is no magic wand in hospice care. Our victories are small, profound, and about a moment. Nothing more nothing less.

I cannot make my patients well, again. What I can do, is provide serious mouth care. That damn dry mouth which comes with impending death. I want a magic wand to make it so, my patients ravaged with dementia can communicate. For one finding the right words is a source of anger. Can you imagine? Something hurts and communicating that is like moving a mountain.

Yesterday, I learned nurses have a wisdom I dread. My dear patient, who I knew was having a "good" day by the number of punches he threw had labored breathing. His booming voice of protest was weaker. My dear patient's days are, really, numbered. His caretaker, his beautiful wife, looks at him like the day they were first married. Perhaps true love never dies.