Which Clinal Skills do I Need to Brush Up On the Most for Hospice Nursing?

[iluvdetroit]

I am an RN who has been out of nursing for the past five years but kept up my license and CEUs. I recently got hired for a position in an inpatient hospice and I will be starting in April. I was very clinically proficient in my days as a hospital nurse but have gotten a bit rusty over the past five years and would like to do some studying, etc. to be the best that I can be in this new job. I am used to inpatient acute care situations, so I am wondering which clinical skills I will be using the most as a hospice nurse. For example, since hospice is about palliative care and not life-saving care, I will probably be doing a lot of pain management, suctioning, and some pleurevac care. What other areas should I brush up on?

[tewdles, RN]

Patient assessment is the key to hospice nursing. You likely have rusty but retrievable clinical skills...expect to use your port and PICC skills. Foleys, complicated wounds, trachs, and all type of tubes are common, dependent upon your agency and their practice model.

Patient and family education with huge doses of therapeutic communication are the norm.

Good luck! and welcome to hospice.

[iluvdetroit]

Thank you very much. :)