United Hospice

NCRN78 · Mar 11, 2011

I have not worked for them, but I think they are based in Georgia. I think they are a for profit hospice. They recently were needing positions filled in western NC.

NC29mom, ASN, LPN, RN · May 19, 2011

I worked for United Hospice for 9+ months. The office had a revolving door. People tried to tell me up front to stay away, but I considered it a challenge. One good thing that did come out of the job, was I discovered I really LOVE hospice!!!! However; please be prepared, this company will work you to death!!!! You will be compensated, but I almost lost my fiance and my daughter and my relationship definitely suffered. I worked >70hrs a week, EVERY week. It was nothing for me to put >300 miles on my car Qwk. We were also expected to take call.....and take it OFTEN. I was actually FIRED because of an on-call issue. I was already scheduled to work on call for a Sunday and my DON wanted me to do Sat also. After telling her numerous times I could not at such a late notice (couldn't find a sitter), I made the mistake of saying, "I wouldn't take call both days". Well, to make a long story short, I ended up doing both days anyway (finally just gave in...) and they fired me anyway (said insubornation r/t me saying "I wouldn't do call"). I'm sure they are much like other companies, in the respect that management lets their "favs" pick call first, do the easier assignments, do fewer admissions.......The paperwork was soooooooooooooooooooooooo endless...... OMG!!!! I would come home, cook dinner, eat, help my daughter with homework (some nights) and then have to do hours of paperwork! We also had several issues with getting our paychecks on time. The labor board was in our office MANY times just the short time I was there. Just a warning to those who are thinking of persuing a job with this company............They are all about making the $$$$ for themselves....don't be surprised if you get called to do a 10pm admission......

rphil77120 · Jun 7, 2011

I am really sorry that you have had a bad experience with united hospice. What region did you work with? I currently work for United (Johnston, harnett, wayne, and a few other counties in North Carolina), while every company does have things it needs to work on, I have found my region to be wonderful. I am married and also have a 5 and 6 year old. I have never had issues with a work/family balance with this company. We operate with 3 full time nurses and 3 PRN's. I take call an average of five times a month (this is including weekends). We are all able to work together to make call fair for everyone. I have never once felt that I was being pressured to take it. Nor have I ever felt that I had to choose between the company and my family! Yes, the paperwork is very long, however, that is not necessarily United's fault. Much of it is a requirement from Medicare/Medicaid. The money is WONDERFUL!!! I have over 13 years of experience in nursing (from ER to management) and this is the most that I have ever made. Lastly, Yes, don't be surprised if you do get a 10pm admission (you are on call and are being paid a large amount, also given 50cents a mile reimbursement, and time and a half for seeing this patient). Remember, you are a HOSPICE nurse. They do not choose when they are having pain, or even dying. The patient as well as their family need you. This is your job!!!!! You are a hospice nurse, not a greeter at walmart.

Again, I am very sorry that you have had issues. I certainly hope that you are very happy wherever you are currently working.

NC29mom, ASN, LPN, RN · Jun 8, 2011

Yes, I would agree, that the area you work in is very well managed and is a wonderful working environment. However; the office I worked at, was not so wonderful. And, I wasn't referring to being on-call and getting a late admission. I was informed on several different occassions regarding an admission that turned out to be a LATE admission (when the ON-CALL nurse should have been the one to do it, but didn't) and I was expected to do it. When I posted the earlier post I was still very upset about being fired. I felt I was treated very unfairly. I had NEVER said NO to anything that was asked of me. The ONE time I do say I can't take call for a 48hr period, I am given grief and basically pressured into working call, only to be fired anyway. We had 1 PRN nurse and 3 full time nurses. However; the PRN nurse we had worked FEW week-ends.

I realize the job is not a "greeter at wal-mart". You are talking to a nurse who gave this company >200%. I went ABOVE and BEYOND the call of duty on a REGULAR basis. I was not whining, just stating a fact. I also stated the one good thing to come from my experience with United was I realized I really LOVE hospice. Each and every one of my patients will tell you they adored me. In fact, my patients are what I miss the most.

To be fair, not all offices are like the one I worked at. I will be the first to admit that. I only wish I had originally started out working for your office (LOVE CINDY!!!) or anothor well managed office.

Best of luck to you and I hope you continue to love and enjoy your job with united.