I retired a year ago after 35 yrs as an acute care floor/ charge RN and want to be a hospice rn part time. Can’t get hired d/t no previous experience. Any ideas how to get in/get experience?
Volunteer for a hospice or try a small hospice, we would be happy to have someone with your experience!
Just keep putting in those applications. Highlight your nursing expertise. ability to be a strong team player, your expertise in navigating the EMR, and a healthy interest in providing the patients and the families the ultimate gift of transitioning in their own home surrounded by those who loved them rather then in an institution with no one nearby when they take their final breath. Hospice, like every other form of nursing in the country, is always seeking caring and compassionate nurses.
Unfortunately, our company has found that when someone comes in and says they only want to work part time, they start to add all sort of conditions to what time and days they will work and change them weekly. To be an effective case manager, you need to be able to build a relationship with your clients and their families.
It is OK to say, I only can work Mon, Wed and Fri. Or only Tuesday and Wednesday. But then you need to show up and do your work and manage your cases those days, every week. Not just in the winter when the beach or camping isn't calling your name, and not only on days you feel like getting out of bed.
We have been burnt many times by nurses coming into the company "PT" and once they have a dedicated case load decide that they either prefer full time pay for 3 12s at the local hospital or SNF, Or that this PT gig wasn't going to allow them to decide which two or three days a week they planned on coming in or doing their visits on a weekly basis. So honestly, it may not be the lack of experience at all but simply a desire on the part of that hospice agency to turn down nurses looking for only part time help. They will need to be convinced that if hired, you will be dedicated to showing up and getting the job done every week.
