The Hospice Nursing Podcast

In this episode I explore the frequent, maybe even normal, conflict that can arise between sales and clinical. I review what I believe the clinical team needs to do to be more accommodating and show the sales team we are serious about growth. I also review some things that the sales team can do to help lessen some of the stress they can inadvertently place on the clinical team. I review the fact t...

In this episode I review some of the challenges we can face when caring for patients with a long history of substance abuse. During the show I review the psychosocial reasons we will find ways to not admit people who need hospice. I also discuss how we can easily complicate the qualifications for hospice when we interject our own feelings and fears into the situation. At the end of the show I shar...

This is part 2 of my conversation with Kris from The Hospice Nursing Support Group on Facebook . During part 2 if this conversation I ask Kris the following questions. How does IDT work at the hospice house? Do all hospice house patients die? How do you describe the hospice house to your admissions? What are the pros and cons of being an inpatient hospice nurse? ============================== As a...

In this episode I welcome back Kris from The Hospice Nursing Support Group on Facebook . This episode will be the first as we discuss the 4 levels of care that Medicare requires all hospice organizations provide. During the episode I explain that my conversation with Kris will be broken into two shows due to the amount of content we covered. For this portion of the show, we cover the following que...

In this episode I explore the realization that, if we are honest, we all have feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Imposter syndrome is something that we all will face at times in our lives. We will especially face imposter syndrome when we are adventurous and are willing to take on new challenges. In this episode I review many of the different ways we can experience imposter syndrome and why we...

In this episode I welcome veteran hospice nurse, Michelle Ery. During the show, Michelle shares with us how she obsessed over her patients to the point that she started using substances to manage the anxiety and obsession. Michelle shares with us what happened to her on Memorial Day of 2020, and how this event was the catalyst that ended up changing her life forever. Michelle covers her experience...

In this episode I return to reviewing my series on Avoiding Hospice Burnout. I cover several issues that I have observed causing major burnout for hospice nurses. Are you waiting for hospice to get easier? Are you unwilling to work an 8 hour day? Do you struggle with autonomy? Are you unwilling to turn off your work phone after hours? Are you unwilling to learn to chart at the bedside? Do you have...

I’m back behind the microphone as I return from a month-long break from the show. In this episode I take on the challenge of discussing hospice leadership.  I review some of my own challenges in my leadership experience. I also spend some time discussing the last 7 months I have spent in the field, and how much stress and emotion is involved. I also mention that I would share some of my favorite l...

In episode Twenty-Eight Chanel King returns to continue our discussion from episode Twenty-Seven. In this episode we discuss Psychological first aide. Chanel reviews some of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and integrates them so well into our understanding of the challenges we face when caring for the dying. We spend the majority of this episode discussing boundaries and the good and bad that come fro...

In this episode I introduce Chanel King to The Hospice Nursing Podcast! Chanel King (Instructor King) is a Peer Support Specialist for medical professionals. In her introduction, Chanel shares with us some of her own traumatic experiences and how the last couple years have transformed her life and led her on a journey to providing emotional support to thousands of medical professionals. In this ep...

In this episode I reimagine Part 8 of Avoiding Hospice Burnout for nurses. I discuss the following concepts that will help create a healthy environment for staff and co-workers. 1. Listen-Validate-Communicate 2. Assume positive intent 3. The Speed of Trust ( Get the book ) 4. Getting burned 5. Gossip 6. Being authentic At the end of the episode I take a few minutes to address leadership. It is my...

In this episode I review the last year and which episodes were the most popular. I discuss what those episode tell us about this community and what it means for the coming months.. The top 6 episodes from this last year are as follows. Episode 16 “ The Last 7 Days. ” Episode 10 “ On call strategies with Tania. ” Episode 3 “ For the record. ” Episode 6 “ Plan your work. Work your plan. ” Episode 11...

In this episode I discuss my communication strategy when communicating with patients, families and facility staff. Instead of trying to discuss specific scenarios, I review my overall 6 strategies I use to communicate effectively. I don’t describe these strategies as the umbrella I function under. They are more like a roof. A roof is complicated. There isn’t just one item that provides the cover w...

In this episode I interview Shelley Henry with Amity Staffing . Shelley shares her 20 year experience in hospice and how it lead her to starting Amity Staffing. She shares with us some of her strategies on bringing awareness to the challenges hospice nurses are facing in the field. We discuss some of the details of her “ Your Opinion Matters ” survey for hospice nurses. Shelley shares with us her...

Ten weeks ago I left my role in leadership and went back to case management. In this episode I review some things that I have had to learn as well as some things that have been reinforced. I also discuss my assignment to a hospice friendly facility, and the strategy I used to gain favor with the staff. I discuss the importance of communication, and I also discuss some of my own struggles to adjust...

In this episode I go into depth on best practices for the admission process. I cover the following points in depth. First impressions Time Management Admission in-home schedule Importance of calming presence  Review of services Records review Consents Click HERE to download the clinical data sheet and watch an instructional video. I provide some additional updates on Hospice Nurse Training communi...

In this episode I pick back up on my ”Avoiding Hospice Burnout” blog series with part 7. Check out the whole series by clicking HERE ! For this episode I review the fallout I received after posting the following visit schedule. ============================== 6 patients who will be known as 1-6  All Charting completed at the bedside. Patient 1 – 8:00am – 8:45am (no new orders)  Travel 43 miles to P...

In episode nineteen I go into detail my strategies for managing visit frequencies.  To start out the episode I discuss the importance of following agency protocol regardless of any advice I provide. I also challenge leadership to reconsider any expectations that do not make sure patients get visits from their primary nurse for all crisis.  I discuss how increased visits help build the two most imp...

In this episode I announce the creation of a special website I have launched for my listeners. Hospice Nurse Training! At the end of the episode I give away 5 free memberships to this new community. Listen to the episode to get the instructions! In this community you will be able to count on the following deliverables. Live Q&A following each episode (2nd and 4th Monday Night) Monthly recertif...

In Episode Seventeen Brian returns to discuss strategies for success in long term care facilities. We answer several great questions from The Hospice Nurse Support Group on Facebook. Throughout this episode we discuss many of the challenges hospice faces when providing care in LTC facilities. Towards the end of the episode we address a very difficult situation a nurse named ”Peggy” has recently ha...

managing patients and their symptoms in the last 7 days of life. I discuss when to start patients on daily visits, what what science and mathematics I use to calculate scheduled and as needed medications to maintain control of symptoms. I discuss the difference between transitioning and actively dying patients. I also discuss some changes in terminology that will help cut down on confusion or misu...

In this episode Brian and I finally coordinate our schedules to record the first of two episodes to address the challenges working interdisciplinary with staff inside of facilities. This episode was very eye opening for me, and I think it will be for you too. Hold on to your hats, because this episode comes in at a little over 90 minutes. Hopefully, you find it to be as inspiring as I do. Brian sh...

For Episode Fourteen I pick back up on my burnout series. In this episode I address some of the biggest reasons nurses get stuck for long periods of time with their patients. Here is a quick list of topics I discuss. Some visits are just long See everyone twice a week Understanding the two types of nursing visits Be the calm in every situation Avoid power struggles No triangles Don’t invent proble...

Welcome to part 3 of my orientation strategies! In this episode I review that last two weeks of orienting my new nurse. I discuss how impressed I was with her ability to read a room when we made an emergent unscheduled visit. I review how we performed 3 recertification visits and I introduce a new tool that can be downloaded using the “Download Tools” section of the web site . There is also a yout...

y strategy for orientation of a new nurse. In this episode I explain how I feel like I learned the most. My biggest take away from the week was that I need to create a more robust training program for new visits. I’m great at having all my visits organized and planned out. I need to put together a more detailed plan for the week for introducing new staff to hospice, hospice philosophy and hospice...