Just wanted to post a "thank you" to all hospice nurses..

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

just wanted to post a thank you to all you hospice nurses. i'm an advanced practice nurse who works primarily with dialysis pts. mortality for my patients is pretty high. i often discuss quality of life as dialysis isn't to preserve quantity of life but rather quality. the reality of the situation is that many of my patients do die. when i start to see a general decline i always try to bring up with the pt the quality of their life and try to engage them in the end of life discussions.

for many of my pts its a slow, gradual downhill slide. many let me know when its time for hospice and i also discuss concerns with families too.

when the pts/families make the decision to withdraw care, i always contact whichever hospice they choose and give the inital orders. without exception, when i talk with the famlies later on, (after hospice involvement) they are so very grateful for the care/compassion they receive from you all.

just wanted to say thank you for what you do - i know its not easy. some of my pts change their minds after hospice has been initiated and then its a much sadder story.

take care of yourselves and have a wonderful holiday season....

signed a grateful apn

[tewdles, RN]

Thank you for advocating for your patients by speaking frankly with them about their health and quality of lfe as they begin to decline!