Recommended Reading for Hospice Nurses

This evening my wife & I watched the movie “Two Weeks.” Sally Fields stars as the hospice patient… very well done… a couple of little glitches but very well done all in all. I recommend it.

Michael

I agree Michael I, myself, had only watched this movie recently.
I cried like a baby but was well worth seeing it.

Thanks for the suggestions I do appreciate your input and thought provoking posts.

I also saw the movie "Two Weeks", thought it to be an excellent
portrayal of family/caregiving dynamics, which is so much a part of what we do.
I was a little disappointed with the ending, I thought they could have done a better job of culminating the story to provide a more powerful
message/lesson.

Have been through the posts again and have written down some great reading ideas.
Thank you to those that have posted suggested reading material.
We can surely all learn from each other in this wonderful area of Hospice.

Allow Mystery…

I may have had a fly or some wax in my ear, but I think the hospice nurse in Two Weeks actually said “millimeters” instead of “milligrams” when talking about adjusting the pain meds. I laughed but did not back it up to check if I mis-heard.

The death scene was grade B Hollywood… not realistic.

Like you, the ending took me by surprise. The movie was gong along nicely and then all of a sudden it just quit.

I did get a huge kick out of when the dying mother took the movie camera away from her son (who kept making movies and asking her questions… like he was a journalist instead of a son.) Then she turned the camera on him and asked him what it was like to have his mother dying and how did that make him feel. I could really identify with her on that one.

The scene with the 3 kids (after the funeral) playing poker for the leftover narcotics was funny.

And yes, it was a tear-jerker.

I enjoyed it.

Michael

I didn't read all of the responses but my favorite is called "The Final Act of Living" it is truly an awesome book!!!!

I recommend that you consider certification from the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) Core Curriculum for the Generalist Hospice and Palliative Nurse. This is a study guide for those nurses who are interested in receiving certification. Also, this second edition give information on such things as End of Life Care for the Child and Family, Indicators of Imminent Dying, Economic and Policy Issues in Hospice and Palliative Care. Also look on the internet for Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association to get information on how to join the association as a professional nurse. When you join, you will receive the magazine which gives you information that you need to practice and give good hospice care.

Michael and all,

Really appreciate the information on this thread....now more than ever.

Take Care,

Sharona

I loved this movie as well. Covers almost everything I thought. Yes, I too cried like a wee one. So did my Mom. I also loved the movie Away From Her. So great as well.

Ok, now for my own book suggetsion. What Dying People Want by David Kuhl, MD. It is based on a 10 year phenomenological research project out of a local Vancouver hospital. It discusses common themes that "dying people" truly want/wanted from life, loved ones, medical professionals. Helps with difficult discussions we all have with our patients. Lovely thoughtfuul book. HIGHLY recommend!