Hospice nursing

I'm an RN with years of geriatric care experience, and I'm needing a new direction. I'm very comfortable with end of life care, death care and supporting family members, so I am seriously looking into becoming a Hospice nurse. Do any of you have experience in this field, and can you offer some book titles I might read to get going? Thanks, Tracey

I'll email a friend from the aol nursing board that does Hospice, she may have some ideas. I think I would like to do Hospice someday, I've had some very good experiences with them. But, on the other hand, I sometimes thinks I'm on the floor to recommend Hospice to those that may benefit from it.

http://www.nhpco.org/templates/1/homepage.cfm http://www.hpna.org/index.asp Here are a couple sites that my friend said offers some books. If you would like to email her directly with any questions just let me know and I will send you her email address. Good luck Sandra

I was a hospice nurse and also concentrated on hospice and palliative care in grad school. It's a wonderful field. You make connections with patients and families you often don't get to make in other areas. I found the work very satisfying. One book I about wore out was Pain Management Handbook, by Salerno and Willens. It's a "pocket" reference, though not really because it's 1 1/2 in. thick. Anything by Margo McCaffrey will be invaluable. Her Pain: Clinical Manual is a classic and exquisitely detailed. The AHPR guidelines for Cancer Pain are helpful too and are downloadable in PDF format from the AHPR site. The Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses Association site has position statements and probably suggests books. I have another book I can't locate right now about symptom management aimed at advanced practice nurses. It was helpful, but I can't remember the name. Good luck. I hope this is helpful info. Caryl

hi,tracey! i've been an rn for 21 years and have been in hospice for the last 4 years. it is the most rewarding work i've ever done, and it's really back to basics. one of my favorite books is "final gifts" written by 2 hospice nurses (i forget their names). after reading it i was sure i wanted to work in that field. the book is paperback and can be found in most bookstores. i even recommend it to patient families. good luck !! barb

Thanks to all of you for the web links and the book recommendations. I'm going to go out and get to reading this week!! I have such a strong interest in doing hospice work, I really feel it's going to finally be my 'nitch' in nursing that I just haven't found. Thanks, Tracey

In January of 1993 I went to work with our local Hospice. The first day I told my boss this: "Give me 2 weeks and if I don't like it...no harm done." She agreed and that is where I have been since. I came from the newborn nursery. So, as you can see, I have worked both ends of the spectrum. I love Hospice work. I guess it is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do. Some say, "I don't know how you do that.", but I say I don't know how I couldn't. Any of my patients and their families will tell you that I make them feel like they are the only patient I have even when I am running like mad to get my work done. It is a privilege to be allowed to assist someone in the very last thing we do on this earth...die. Everyone deserves to die with dignity. The dying teach us so much about life. I hope this works out for you. It has been a blessing for me. Let me know what you decide.

I am a hospice nurse, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. It is definitely not the best paying nursing job, but the rewards are endless. I really feel that hospice is a calling, not a job choice. I am also a Christian, and what an honor it is to help people at such a crucial time in their lives. Also, where else in nursing can you really do holistic care? Hospice worries about the spiritual and social parts of a patient just as much as the physical. Good Luck, Laura