Thank you all for the wonderful comments on this article. I wrote it originally 3 months after my father passed in 2008 when I began volunteering with hospice as a means of coping with my loss.
In just a few short days I will be at the 4 year anniversary of my father's death... I can proudly tell you all that I am a hospice nurse (approaching 1 year and going strong) and have found my job to be both rewarding and a small reminder of who I have lost. Every death call I leave from I take a moment to remember not just the patient but also my father... I hope where ever my dad may be that he can see how his death shaped my life but more importantly has allowed me to reach out to the hearts of others and help them through their own dark times.
The terrible loss I experienced has allowed me to become a dedicated, compassionate and understanding hospice nurse.
With all of that said - every single nurse and CNA that has worked with any patient is a hero. I stand in awe of all that we endure and strive for on behalf of our patients. We are all amazing and brilliant.