donnag128

I can relate to your case completely. What I usually do in a situation like this is try to explain to the patient and family that my goal is for them to be the at the best level they can be on any particular day and to keep them out of the hospital and at home if that is their wish. My hospice offers charity care so we can give same services whether or not there is insurance. Sounds like the Social Worker needs to be involved in this case to take some of the pressure of the emotionally needy family off you. Most people are not "ready"100 percent to "give up" which is what most people think going on hospice is doing. I try to educate patients, their families & doctors of the benefits of hospice/palliative care to help guide them through disease progression and end of life.

The best thing I did to prepare me for becoming a certified holistic nurse was to attend The Birchtree Integrative Healing Arts Program. I also joined The American Holistic Nurses Association for a wealth of resources. Holistic Nursing really encompasses the "self care" foundation which is the element many of us are lacking. The Birchtree program changed my life.