Has anyone worked in hospice? I found it's case management to be the embodiment of what true nursing is to be. Looking out for your patient's and his family complete physical and psychosocial well-being in such holistic terms.

This healthcare delivery system clearly required all disciplines to work closely together like a well-oiled machine. Together, the hospice team did great things that alone we couldn't have accomplished.

Hi teamrn,
I work in hospice and I love every minute of it. I can tell you it depends on the mission of the company you work for. I left one company because the patient was not the first interest. It was the bottom line. It showed in all aspects of our providing for the family and patient needs. The visits were rushed because you had to see x amount of patients in a day. Not a good compay to work for. But now I have the time, materials, and the other disciplines to help. It is truly wonderful.

Profit and not-for-profit. I found hospice to be a wonderful experience. I loved it, was a case manager for 9 years and found myself pinching myself, "...and you're getting paid to do something you love?" I was able to keep my face somewhat out of office politiics, because I was in the field, and had the opportunity to live, love, teach and learn with my patients as they made their transitions.

I found that I called all my nursing skills in to play, learned from and taught CNAs, LCSWs chaplains, volunteers, medical directors and worked so closely with pharmacists. I developed a new respect for all disciplines and truly felt that I'd found the right balance of a team of healthcare professionals all working towards one good, the patient and family unit.

teamRN

Go for it Mary. The sacrifices you make financially now will pay off for you and your family later. You can always jump off at the LPN level for awhile, before doing online RN. Online RN tends to fit into the nooks and crannies of your life better than brick and mortar schools.