Tips for New Hospice Nurse

[RNandlovingit]

I have only been a hospice nurse for a little over a month. I absolutely love my job!!! with that said. I am "green" to the field of hospice nursing and would love to hear tips and advice from you experienced nurses! I am one of those people who wants to always know everything and take care of my patient to the best of my ability but there is so much I dont know! And this is the only nursing I ever want to do again!! So thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!!!!

[nrcnurse]

I love my job too, and like you (and relative to a lot of my co-workers), I have only a few years experience. Hospice offers an opportunity to provide nursing the way you were taught, with patience, caring, and sincerity. However, this is 2008 and nothing is really like we were taught in school. Patients, and families, will lie to you. There are ALWAYS family dynamics. You can't fix everything, and you need to remember that there is an entire team to help you. Use your social worker!! They are invaluable.

You will amass a host of very bizarre stories, so, change the names and plan write a book. The experiences would make great tv, too.

Remember to take care of yourself. Do not " take the patients home with you." Plan your time, and work your plan. Night and weekend triage are available outside regular working hourse, and you don't need to be doing their jobs for them. NEVER give a patient/family your cell phone number. NEVER. Did I mention that patients and families will lie to you? Most often, the patients are pretty straightforward: they have a dx, they accept tx, they appreciate your attention and the services hospice provides. Families have issues, some typical, some bizarre, some dangerous, and some downright criminal. IF you are ever frightened, or get a sense that you could be in danger LEAVE IMMEDIATELY. This may never happen to you, but know that it could, and know that your safety is paramount. There will be many "quirky but safe" incidents. Ex: Pt expires, family wants him dressed in boxers c red fire engines, then asks you to take digital pics of them "kissing him goodbye." These experiences are badges of honor. Welcome to hospice.

Nancy

[OncallRN]

There will be many "quirky but safe" incidents. Ex: Pt expires, family wants him dressed in boxers c red fire engines, then asks you to take digital pics of them "kissing him goodbye." These experiences are badges of honor. Welcome to hospice.

Nancy

OK that's a new one to me, but I have dressed a 6ft 4 in man in a suit and tie, because he never left left the house without wearing one.

I've also had extended family almost get into a fist fight, and have yell at them to take it outside as I pronounced the pt. that one I called the FH again after I left to give them a heads up.

I've also come to home where there is a full blown Irish wake going on, ( 20+ people and lots of "spirits")and I still need to pronounce the pt.

I work to respect what is important to people, but sometime I do shake my head on the inside