Simple Pleasures of Hospice Nursing

[Katillac, RN]

Here are a few things that have brought me satisfaction in my work as a hospice nurse:

• Getting blood the first time from a patient with "no veins".
  
• Standing in the doorway of a resident's room hearing their quiet words with long gone friends and relatives.
  
• Finally getting to an effective bowel regimen for a resident on high dose narcotics who has a twenty five year history of constipation.
  
• Watching a tearful reunion with brothers estranged for fifty years.
  
• Programming the CADD pump making it beep fewer than 50 times.
  
• Greatgrandfather with tiny greatgrandaughter tenderly in the crook of his arm, both asleep, while the rest of the family socializes around his bed.
  
• Successfully figuring a three stage narcotics conversion and getting the MD to order it without a hassle.
  
• Understanding the communication of a non-verbal end stage ALS patient.
  
• Discharging a patient who has improved so much they are no longer hospice appropriate.
  
• The calm face and easy breathing of a patient who had been grimacing in pain.
  

Fellow hospice nursing staff, what are some of yours?

Kat, who is feeling very thankful today

[babynurselsa, RN]

Great list.

Getting a hug and a sile or even a thank you from that difficult patient, or family that lets you know you have made a difference.

[fab4fan]

Calling a doc you've never dealt with before for orders for a patient and having the doc say "You tell me what you want...you're the expert."

[req_read]

How about the family that was overwhelmed and freaked out when you signed them up but after your teaching calls and says their loved one passed 2 hours ago, then adds, "Everything is fine, take your time getting here."

[Katillac, RN]

I can really relate to those "moments". Thanks for sharing them!

Kat

[medsurgnurse, RN]

hospice has been the most rewarding nursing job I've ever done.