Do you have to go into nursing to get involved in hospice care?

There are a number of jobs that can be done in hospice care that do involve nursing, per se. Usually a hospice is a separate entity, independent of a hosital, which is likely why you are having trouble finding much information on-line.

There are often jobs in the entire agency, such as office, housekeeping, etc. for the hospice but typically the nurses, social workers and volunteers are the ones who go into the home, usually on a weekly basis.

If the hospice has an in-patient unit (and some do not), they usually do hire nursing assistants and others as needed. One thing about hospice employees: they seem to be the most caring, loving people I have ever encountered. I have been involved as a volunteer since 2000, and it still amazes me how they rally 'round the families and their caregivers.

Here is a link to the hospice I volunteer for...it was named one of the top 100 places to work for in the U-S. Take a look at the website, the types of job openings, if there happen to be any...and email me if you have any questions. I am a patient-services volunteer--I go into the homes of the patient, to visit with them, and to serve as a "respite" for the family--to give them a break, allow them to have time to themselves, go out, go to an appointment, or just to sit and talk, if they would like to.

Volunteers do get close to the patient and the family over the time they remain with the family, and that is usually until the patient dies. It's a difficult but great thing to do--I truly enjoy it.

http://www.blueridgehospice.org/

When Does Hospice Get Involved

I was a hospice nurse before I retired. Why don't you start with volunteering at any hospice in your area. Not everyone can handle this field. It can be very rewarding and very emotionally exhausting. Start as a volunteer and go to patients homes or in patient hospice. If you find you like it work your way up to a paying position as an aide. If you are still interested in staying in this field you could go to nursing school. That can take anyway from 1-5 years depending on what kind of nurse you choose to pursue. There are also social workers positions available in this field as well. Call a hospice to get started. They welcome and train their volunteers. Good luck!!

No you do not. I did volunteer work (I received practicum credit for it in my Master's of psychology degree) at a hospice while in school as a respite provider.

That is I would sit with patients while the family went out grocery shopping or other needed errands and I would be there to call the office and/or 911 in anything happened.

There were also full time social workers, physical therapist, and chaplains employed at the hospice.

The Volunteer Coordinator (there was only one) and the grief counselor (also one) were full time paid employees.

Look for for home health care companies (some provide only hospice services and some provide hospice and home health care).

Psiexploration

Nope. My best friend does in home care & had no nursing training. Good luck~~ you have a great heart & will be a great hospice blessing.

Nursing homes usually don't offer such courses, however, they can provide some valuable hands on experience in an environment that can offer a lower stress level than that of a hospital.

Keltasia may be able to help you. It is a difficult thing to work with those who are not going to be getting better. I know that you will give these dear folks all of the love and light they need to face the end of this life and continue on to the next. BB...~M~