jeastridge BSN, RN

Faith Community Nurse (FCN)

BSN, RN, Faith Community Nurse

Columnist

All Content by jeastridge

  1. jeastridge

    To Say or Not to Say Hospice?

    jeastridge posted a topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Her niece met me at the door and whispered conspiratorially, "Don't use the word 'hospice.' I'm afraid it will make her give up." As she ushered me down the long hall to the dark room shut off from...
  2. jeastridge

    To Say or Not to Say Hospice?

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    I very much appreciate your comment. Terminology does make a difference! Comfort Care vs. Hospice Care; DNR vs. AND. These are small but important distinctions. This national conversation is just...
  3. jeastridge

    To Say or Not to Say Hospice?

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    You are so right! And patients are ultimately the ones to determine how the situation is handled based on our assessments. I agree with your extra attention on the family and their needs. Thank you...
  4. jeastridge

    To Say or Not to Say Hospice?

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    What you describe is a very difficult dilemma. When people are alert and oriented, I find they often know more than they verbalize. Do you find this to be true with your patients? Some of the older...
  5. jeastridge

    Accusing Hospice

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    You are so right. And I find that my job as a hospice nurse is to set aside my own natural reactions and to see beyond the patient's and family's initial response. Instead, I try to acknowledge the...
  6. jeastridge

    To Say or Not to Say Hospice?

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    To automotiveRN67: Thank you for your thorough and educational response. You have addressed many of the issues that come up with hospice care, both initially and as the hospice relationship...
  7. jeastridge

    To Say or Not to Say Hospice?

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Well said. Whether or not we use the specific word, "hospice," the intent of pursuing comfort care must be abundantly clear to the patient and also to those involved in their care. Thank you for your...
  8. jeastridge

    Accusing Hospice

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    You make a good point. I did not include much background in this story, but I knew the family well and knew that they were Christians. It is critical that as professional nurses, we listen carefully...
  9. jeastridge

    Can nursing crossover with ministry?

    jeastridge replied to Njustice's topic in Nursing Career

    As a almost 20 year Parish Nurse and a regular part time hospice nurse, your comments are interesting to me. I'm glad you enjoy what you are doing in ministry. Since you already enjoy your current...
  10. jeastridge

    Accusing Hospice

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Areensee-- Just as we are all unique creations, I find we come to a time of parting, to death, with widely differing perspectives. Do you agree? It is our privilege in hospice, to help the patient,...
  11. jeastridge

    Accusing Hospice

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    MSNce1--I appreciate your comments. The discussion about feeding--what, when, how much--is a hard one. You will likely find voices all over the spectrum on this. In our hospice, we try to advocate for...
  12. jeastridge

    Accusing Hospice

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    We bring our personal life experiences with us to work, don't we? I think one of the keys to being successful nurses is to to let these experiences inform and enrich our professional lives, without...
  13. jeastridge

    Accusing Hospice

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    There is such a connection between births and death, isn't
  14. jeastridge

    Accusing Hospice

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Thank you for your kind words. I hope that the story is an encouragement to
  15. jeastridge

    Forced to wear nurses' hat

    jeastridge replied to BSNbeauty's topic in Parish

    I'm sorry but I can hardly believe that anyone still wears a nurse's cap, let alone a parish nurse. May God bless you with lots of
  16. jeastridge

    End of Life: The Final Word

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Thank you for your kind comments and your insights. Loving one another is what it is all about,
  17. jeastridge

    End of Life: The Final Word

    jeastridge replied to jeastridge's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Yes, you are right, but isn't it wonderful that we can accompany someone as they go down the road on this last journey? We can come alongside our patients and just be there, giving the gift of...