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 a thirty-day addiction treatment center. She shares with us how this experience effected her nur...
May 06, 2023•47 min
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 to always be right? Do you have to fix every problem? Is it you or your agency causing you to consi...
Apr 16, 2023•56 min
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 leadership books here in the show notes. Leaders Eat Last It’s Your Ship Developing the Leader Within ...
Apr 01, 2023•52 min
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 from crossing those boundaries. Chanel drops a real truth bomb on us when she says, “We are more alike ...
Feb 19, 2023•59 min
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 episode Instructor King answers a voice mail left by Erin who asked how we can handle grief for our dy...
Feb 05, 2023•57 min
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 belief that leadership holds the greatest power over the culture of the office. A good leader will t...
Jan 14, 2023•56 min
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 “ Orientation strategies part 1. ” Episode 15 “ Success in the ALF .” In this episode I discuss one...
Jan 01, 2023•50 min
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 we need for our home. There are 2x4 and 2x4 wooden supports. There is also plywood sheeting that need...
Dec 17, 2022•50 min
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 social media journey, and how she is trying to help hospice nurses in her own unique way. I highly r...
Dec 03, 2022•50 min
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 from leadership to full-time case management. I review how to be a leader from a case manager posit...
Nov 20, 2022•51 min
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 community and all the extra content available for members. ============================== As always, don’t f...
Nov 06, 2022•52 min
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 Patient 2 Patient 2 – 9:30am – 10:30am (Actively dying) Travel 30 miles to Patient 3 Patient 3 – 11:15a...
Oct 16, 2022•40 min
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 important tools we have in our nursing bags. I compare the hospice experience with a good book and explai...
Oct 02, 2022•47 min
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 recertification round table (zoom call to help you) Monthly work shops - First one opioid titration with del...
Sep 18, 2022•22 min
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 had to deal with. At the end of the episode we conclude with some practical advice to help build deepe...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 14 min
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 misunderstanding between hospice staff and our caregivers. I discuss what kind of schedule to keep when ...
Aug 21, 2022•1 hr 13 min
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 shares with us his journey from hospital ICU, through a 16 year hospice journey and why he decided to ...
Aug 07, 2022•1 hr 38 min
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 problems Know your patients Chart at the bedside to end the visit I also share the following visit schedul...
Jul 24, 2022•53 min
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 youtube video on how to use the tool available on the download page. To close out the episode I discuss ...
Jul 09, 2022•38 min
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 guidelines as required by medicare. When I finish creating this program, I will share it with my lis...
Jun 18, 2022•48 min
In this episode I start a series explaining my strategies for orientating new nurses. I read an email from listener Holly and how I got my inspiration for this series from her. I also read an email from Kelly that I received the day before recording this episode and how it ties in quite nicely. Here are a few of my main points. While in orientation the new nurse should aways ride with everyone. No following in his/her own car. Set the standard from day one that hospice is an 8-5 job. Be strategi...
Jun 11, 2022•39 min
In this episode I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing Tania. She has over a decade of weekend on-call experience. This interview is filled to the brim with practical advice for success with your on-call visits. Tania shares with us how she ended up becoming a hospice on-call nurse and how it works for her family. We address the 7 following subjects: Establish why you are making the visit with the family Identify the type of visit (Only 3 real categories) Car Stock Ideas Documentation How ...
Apr 16, 2022•51 min
In this episode I share why it has been exactly one month since I published my last episode. I also explain why it might be a few more weeks before my next episode. Most of this episode was shared without extensive notes and just an outline. The outline was 3 simple points. Turn off your phone Don’t have favorites it’s not about you (or me) I recommend 2 books with one of the books also available as an audio message by Andy Stanley. Choosing To Cheat - Renamed ”When work and family collide” Choo...
Mar 21, 2022•39 min
During this episode I read a portion of an email I received from a listener when I asked her if she had any questions I could build a show around. In that email she asks me what my sacred activity is. After much thought, I have decided to share my sacred activity during this episode. The truth is that I am completely incapable of doing this complex and emotional work under my own power. This work can be overwhelming to the mind and soul at times. In this episode I explain how my faith and spirit...
Feb 20, 2022•38 min
In this episode we interview Kris, who is the creator and administrator of the Hospice Nursing Support Group on Facebook. Kris shares some very interesting statistics regarding this group. We also review a few of the group rules to help provide some context for present and future members. Kris shares her experience with another Facebook group and how she helped that group be more successful. Towards the end of the show Kris shares some very personal experiences over the last 2 years while workin...
Feb 06, 2022•47 min
For todays episode we discuss several ideas that will help us be more likely to happen to our days and weeks instead of our days and weeks happening to us. We discuss the importance of having a new schedule every week. I am offering a free copy of the spreadsheet I have created to manage my caseload. You can visit the download page HERE . Please email me at james@confessionsofahospicenurse.net if you have any problems getting the file to work. Here is a quick overview of the concepts I discussed...
Jan 16, 2022•45 min
For today’s show I discuss my own challenges with my hero complex, and how we can all get away from trying to be the hero in someone else’s story. Click HERE to read the Avoiding Hospice Burnout series. It is completely natural to become a central figure in the life of our dying patients and their family members. We have a lot of knowledge to share, and we have a lot of solutions to common problems. It is our job to empower our caregivers and help them become the hero of the story. Here are the ...
Jan 02, 2022•40 min
In episode four of The Hospice Nursing Podcast we deviate from the burnout series and highlight some insights I learned at a recent leadership conference I attended. A couple Saturday’s ago I attended a leadership conference hosted by the ETHOS Center of Excellence. Our speakers were Dr. Frank Armato and Dr. Barry Young. The conference was from 9am-3pm with 6 powerful sessions. This workshop was called, “Becoming a Better Leader,” and in this episode I give a quick overview of each session and h...
Dec 19, 2021•46 min
For episode 3 of The Hospice Nursing Podcast my first hospice mentor, Mike Barrett, returns to discuss what I believe is the biggest contributor to hospice nursing burnout. Of all the complaints I hear from nurses regarding burnout and being overworked, charting is the main complaint. In this episode, Mike and I try our best to debunk the reasons charting cannot be completed at the bedside. We also take some time to explain how to be successful with charting at the bedside. For some context, ple...
Dec 06, 2021•52 min
In this episode I introduce my very first hospice mentor, Mike Barrett. Mike explains what he saw in me and how I responded to his training when I first entered hospice in 2015. I then share my own personal story of total financial collapse in 2007 & 2008 that resulted in my own deep depression, and how I managed to recover. During the episode I explain the personal changes I made from 2008-2010 before returning to college in 2011 and pursing my nursing degree. Mike and I discuss the power o...
Nov 15, 2021•43 min
