Advice? First day in hospice.

Hi All,

I'm currently a second year student and I've been working as an AIN (I think that's basically an American CNA) for a few months now in a nursing home. However, the position is very causal and not where my heart truly lies. A few months back I emailed a local facility, a children's hospice (and the only one in the state) regarding a volunteer position. The NUM emailed me back with a job offer. Of course I accepted and when I went for the interview I fell in love with the place.

It's called Bear Cottage. It's a two story beach house that takes eight kids at a time in private rooms with one sleeper couch (and has two 'units' that accomodate whole families plus child). It has views of the ocean and the coast line out the front windows and out the back a stunning view of an old castle/monestary type thing. It's beautiful. They have a nine year old black labrador that has free roam of the house and the most amazing facilities - a multi-sensory room, a massive play room, huge TV room, everything is coloured and bright... I could go on and on.

Anyway. My first shift is tomorrow. From what I gather me role is to help with the 'rush hour' tasks - like baths/showers, feeds (enteral and oral), beds etc, which I'm all fine with and what I don't know, the staff are keen on teaching me. However, the atmosphere at the cottage is very different to the hospital atmosphere that I'm used to. Families come in with all their children (including the ill one) for respite care as well as end of life care so there's a mixture of healthy and sick kids tearing around (where they can, anyway) and the parents and staff have a very different relationship than what you normally see between families and staff in hospitals. It's exceptionally family like - which is just beautiful. Only something that I'm not used, too, yet. & it's making me a bit nervous. (I really want to make a good impression!)

Has anyone got any tips/tidbits of advice from their first day or experience in hospice? What helps? What doesn't? Do you have any little tricks up your sleeve that might make a patient smile or... anything?