NyMommaRN

I am not hospice but I work in a LTC facility so have had many encounters with hospice nursing. When caring for a patient on either hospice or palliative care I go in thinking "how can I make this horrible experience more bearable for both the patient and family". Unfortunately I have become desensitized to patients dying. Yes it still affects me and I try to do what I can to prevent--but when death is an unavoidable outcome I focus on what I CAN do. I CAN make the patient comfortable and pain management is my #1 priority. You have to be comfortable with death to do hospice or any end of life care really. It comes with experience....dealing with family is hard but usually once they go to hospice the family has a pretty good understanding that the patient's death is coming--at that point it is important to provide clear answers to their questions while also being sensitive to the fact they most likely have never been through this before. It's a great path for those who can do it.. Jay