Being the new kid is never fun.  It takes adequate training and lots of support to ensure the success of new hospice team members.  When someone is orienting to agency processes and policies, coworkers need to be patient and be willing to answer questions.  Reducing staff turnover is important not only to agency culture, but to team culture as well.  Assigning a coworker as a mentor can make new team members feel confident and secure.  If the team member is a rookie hospice professional, the “culture shock” of working with seriously ill and dying patients can take a heavy toll.  Without the proper support and integration into the hospice team, new employees experience compassion fatigue, overwhelm, and burnout.  Make sure they get the support they need!  You’ll find more support for your hospice journey at theheartofhospice.com.  We’re here for you 24/7 with information on advance care planning, hospice philosophy and history, and podcast episodes on hundreds of hospice topics.  Send any questions about end of life care to [email protected].  We’re here to help make your hospice journey the best possible.  You are The Heart of Hospice!