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So I have a question. I am a long term care nurse over 21 years. We do have hospice patients and I am familiar with end of life care. I prefer to give my patients a dignified death. Sometimes families keep on trying and trying when these patients are worn out. I am thinking of making a switch as I am burned out of ltc. One can get burned out with any job though, I know. I don't have anything keeping me to my current place. I actually entered nursing years ago hoping to do hospice but around here lpns were not welcomed. I am now an R.N. and would love to go in another direction.

My question is weather concerns. In ltc I have to go in to work in blizzards. I am wondering if you are scheduled to do 4 o6 patients do you do that providing they are stable . Of course if actively dying , I feel that yes most definitely get yourself out there. Just curious.

Thanks.

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The day before a storm, like today for example here in the northeast, we "tuck in" all our home patients, make sure they have meds, back up and emergency oxygen etc, and inform them no visits will be occuring unless for an emergency or death. our office will likely be closed tomorrow, however triage will be available for phone assistance, we would likely only go out to a visit if someone died. So you may have to go out as a hospice nurse but we try to put everything in place to prevent it unless absolutely neccessary.

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Yes, just like the above poster. We actually had a death once and no one was able to get to them. The local police were called who had access to 4x4 equipment and they went out - rest of death call with handled thru the phone with the police as the go between us and funeral home. Actually went pretty smooth & police officer ordered me NOT to leave my house and try to get there.

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Specializes in Hospice + Palliative.

ep, as others said. we tuck folks in, make sue they know hot to use backup o2, have enough meds, etc. but only critical visits happen - if they have pleurex or other drains than need doing, wound care with no caregiver, or actively dying with symptom mgmt issues.

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Thank you just trying to find my spot in nursing. :yes:

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