Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyListen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music RSS Feed Listen on Google Podcasts

In this episode I step aside from clinical talk, and revisit a phone call I had with listener Chauncey.

Last week I had a great conversation with Chauncey. We discussed the challenges a new marketer can face when working a territory for the first time.

In this episode I discuss the difference between referral sources that provide a lot of referrals versus the ones that only provide a few or have never provided a referral. I call these crock pot referral sources and microwave referral sources.

During the episode I discuss the importance of creating a consistent and repeatable process that will help referral sources build a certain level of expectation.

I talk about developing a balance between selling hospice philosophy and hospice services.

Towards the end I explain that all of hospice is really about trust and relationship. These two things are the foundation for which every hospice should be built upon.

---

As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from you!

816-834-9191
James@confessionsofahospicenurse.net

Be sure to check out The Hospice Nursing Community for more hope, help and encouragement!

---

Subscribe via Email!

---

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyListen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music RSS Feed Listen on Google Podcasts

In this episode I answer the following question sent to me by Pamela.

Any interest in a show that highlights weekend/evening staff. The challenge I face is communication. If staff do not add thorough notes, email/call me, or otherwise give report, It really makes my job a struggle! Also, remembering we are part of team. I am blessed with a great team, but can see where this position could be undervalued. I personally love being weekend on call! It is like semi retirement. Feel free to reach out if this is of interest

I also (politely) admonish the Monday – Friday staff on the importance of making sure we complete our charting timely so our on-call staff feel appreciated.

I review some strategies I have used at several companies to help improve communication between the day shift and on-call staff.

I talk about the end of day (EOD) email that goes out Monday – Friday where I work as well as the Stand Down call we do every Friday before the weekend staff takes the stage.

You can download a template of the EOD email from my website downloads HERE.

I finish the episode by spending some time empowering on-call nurses to believe in their ability to provide great hospice care in the absence of completed charting and medication lists.

---

As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from you!

816-834-9191
James@confessionsofahospicenurse.net

Be sure to check out The Hospice Nursing Community for more hope, help and encouragement!

---

Subscribe Via Email!

---

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyListen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music RSS Feed Listen on Google Podcasts

In this episode I answer a question from Gina.

In a recent email from Gina, she asks the following question.

One topic I would love for you to cover is that of high case loads – and what you consider that number to be, what number is considered ideal for excellent, superior care and how to manage/re-work your visit frequencies when those loads are high. 

During this episode I do cover what I consider to be a normal caseload. I explain that our caseload should really be measured by how many visits we make during a week when our goal is to see most of them at least twice per week.

I explain that years of experience does play a large role in determining how many patients someone can manage at once.

I review how case management changes when the majority of our patients are in LTC facilities.

At the beginning of the episode I put out a challenge to those of us who are in leadership to make very attempt to stay connected to our field staff.

---

As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from you!

816-834-9191
James@confessionsofahospicenurse.net

Be sure to check out The Hospice Nursing Community for more hope, help and encouragement!

---

Subscribe Via Email!

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyListen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music RSS Feed Listen on Google Podcasts

In this episode I review the 3 large projects I completed in my first 4 months as administrator.

I share the challenges most agencies face when it comes to tracking room and board charges for LTC patients.

I review the extensive orientation program I implemented to make sure all new staff get a solid and predictable onboarding experience.

The third project I completed was a revamp of our referral and admission process that ended in a 90 minute training session with the entire organization.

During the show I mention the series I wrote on what to expect from your hospice nurse.

You can review the series HERE.

---

As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from you!

816-834-9191
James@confessionsofahospicenurse.net

Be sure to check out The Hospice Nursing Community for more hope, help and encouragement!

---

Subscribe Via Email!

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyListen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music RSS Feed Listen on Google Podcasts

In this episode I welcome back Shelley Henry from Amity Group to discuss the “Your Opinion Matters” hospice nurse survey she conducted last winter.

During the episode Shelley shares with us the 3 biggest takeaways she got from doing the survey.

1. Redundant Documentation
2. Nurse-to-patient Ratios
3. Compensation

Shelly shares some of her discoveries surrounding redundant documentation that adds almost an entire day to the week.

Shelly also shares with us her tour schedule for October 2023 that covers the national hospice conference in Little Rock, Arkansas as well as trips to Alabama and Boston.

Please be sure to follow Shelley on all her social media platforms. She uses the handle, “For Hospice Nurses,” for all her social media work.

Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
TikTok

The Hospice Nurse Your Opinion Matters Survey will return this fall starting in October. Be sure to check it out and share it with your hospice nurse friends!

Click here to take the hospice nurse “Your Opinion Matters” survey starting October 1st 2023!

---

As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from you!

816-834-9191
James@confessionsofahospicenurse.net

Be sure to check out The Hospice Nursing Community for more hope, help and encouragement!

---

Subscribe Via Email!

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyListen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music RSS Feed Listen on Google Podcasts

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 that our patients can, at times, misrepresent what the sales team has said or promised to them. The same thing can happen when our patients or referral sources misrepresent what the clinical team has said or done.

In the end we are all a team, and we are all on the same side.

---

As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from you!

816-834-9191
James@confessionsofahospicenurse.net

Be sure to check out The Hospice Nursing Community for more hope, help and encouragement!

---

Subscribe Via Email!

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyListen on iHeartRadio Listen on Amazon Music RSS Feed Listen on Google Podcasts

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 share the story of a heart failure patient with special needs, and how we adjusted our plan of care to make sure this patient got the care he needed.

---

As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from you!

816-834-9191
James@confessionsofahospicenurse.net

---

Subscribe Via Email!

---

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyListen on iHeartRadio Listen on Stitcher Listen on Amazon Music RSS Feed Listen on Google Podcasts

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.

1. How does IDT work at the hospice house?
2. Do all hospice house patients die?
3. How do you describe the hospice house to your admissions?
4. What are the pros and cons of being an inpatient hospice nurse?

---

As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from you!

816-834-9191
James@confessionsofahospicenurse.net

---

Subscribe Via Email!

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyListen on iHeartRadio Listen on Stitcher Listen on Amazon Music RSS Feed Listen on Google Podcasts

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 questions.

1. All the different names that are used for Inpatient Hospice Care.
2. Where can Inpatient Hospice Care occur?
3. How did Kris became a hospice house nurse?
4. What is the purpose of the hospice house?
5. What is the typical week like in a hospice house?
6. What are the typical routs of medication administration at the hospice house?

Part 2 of the conversation will occur in episode Thirty-Four of the show!

---

As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from you!

816-834-9191
James@confessionsofahospicenurse.net

---

Subscribe Via Email!

Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on SpotifyListen on iHeartRadio Listen on Stitcher Listen on Amazon Music RSS Feed Listen on Google Podcasts

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 might experience it.

I mention a recent article where I explain why hospice nurses are not trying to kill their patients. You can access that article HERE.

I also review a strategy on how to avoid imposter syndrome. Do you want a hint? You can’t avoid imposter syndrome if you are going to engage life!

At the beginning of the show I thank Shelley Henry with The Amity Group. During one of her tips for hospice nurses this week she gave The Hospice Nursing Community a shoutout!

You can follow Shelley Henry on Instagram and TikTok for more help!

---

As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from you!

816-834-9191
James@confessionsofahospicenurse.net

---

Subscribe Via Email!