Discovering Hospice Care

When I made it to my second year, I started honing my nursing craft, and in doing so, I unintentionally found my passion. Hospice nursing. During that second year, I began to notice that whenever a hospice patient would be admitted to our facility, I took notice that the whole plan of care is different for any hospice patient, and no two patients were a like, even if their diagnosis were the same. It also was surprising to see that they had their very own hospice team that would come and visit them outside of our skill nursing facility team. I began to talk to them more, and some even suggested I make the leap to hospice nursing, as I was very interested. I politely declined at that time though, as I had many questions regarding the field.

First and foremost, was it for real? It seemed too good to be true to be able to go see a patient for an hour, and then go home, or to a cafe and do your charting. It felt scammy, if I’m being honest. I also had a lot of self doubt. I was still a baby nurse. Was I ready to go out into the word and work by myself? How much support was going to be available to me? How do I have those incredibly hard conversations with families about their loved ones?

There was too much unknown, which made me hold back from making the switch to hospice. Then about a year after that first encounter, a collegue of mine finally convinced me to take the leap. It was a bit scary, but also very exciting. I knew I was ready, even though I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I still had a lot of questions, but I had trust in the company that I started working with to teach me and guide me along the way, which they did, and in some ways still do til this day!

Starting My Hospice Career

When I began my hospice career, I quickly learned it was night and day from working in a skilled nursing facility. I learned to love the nursing field in a way I never knew I possibly could! The love and support that I may provide my patients and their families during one of the most trying times they may ever face is such a great feeling. Even though in a SNF I made great memories with some amazing residents, as well as my coworkers, being able to work one-on-one with a patient, and for as long as they need you, is a priceless experience.

Why I Do What I Do

I can’t express enough how much joy I receive from working with each individual patient. I am still using all of the experience I gained from the SNF, but now on a much more personal level, and in some ways I’ve gained even more experience than I could have in the SNF. In hospice, you can still expect to see some extraordinary wounds. You will also deal with all the infections – and yes, infection control is a whole new ball game when you’re going from patient to patient!

Over the years, I’ve accumulated a wealth of knowledge that I am proud to share with each patient and caregiver that I have the pleasure of meeting. It truly never gets old! In my experience, I’ve noticed recurring struggles that many patients, caregivers, and even nurses new to the hospice field—like I once was—often face. This realization has made it clear to me how crucial it is to share my experiences and knowledge with as many people as possible.

While I continue to help and educate those I meet in person, I recognize that my reach is limited. That is why I created this blog: to extend my support to any caregiver navigating the hospice journey. Whether you’re just starting, in the midst of it, approaching the end-of-life stages, or going through the grieving process. My goal is to illuminate the hospice experience, empowering nurses to provide the best care possible and helping caregivers feel less alone in their journey. You are not alone, and there are countless resources and a community ready to support you.

So if any of this resonates with you, stick around for a while. Join our community. Because there is a lot to be discussed and I will be there with you every step of the way!

My Vision

My vision is to create a compassionate, supportive space where caregivers and nurses can find the guidance, encouragement, and resources they need to navigate the challenging yet rewarding journey of hospice care. I aim to demystify hospice, empowering others with the knowledge and confidence to provide the best possible care for their loved ones and patients. Through this platform, I hope to build a community where no one feels alone, and everyone has access to the tools they need to make a difference in the lives of those they care for.

My Mission

My mission is to educate, support, and empower caregivers and hospice nurses by sharing practical insights, compassionate advice, and expert knowledge. I am committed to providing valuable resources and fostering a sense of community where everyone involved in end-of-life care can feel informed, connected, and confident in their role. Through this work, I strive to enhance the quality of care provided to patients and their families, ensuring that every step of the hospice journey is met with understanding, empathy, and unwavering support.