time to step back

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I have been a ER nurse for 25+ years and decided to switch to hospice. Problem developed when my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Now I just can't handle the grief from families when I am having a hard time with my grief. Has this happened to someone else? How did you handle it? I have resigned my hospice job. Just too much.

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Specializes in Hospice.

It hasn't happened to me personally, but I did know a nurse who went through something similar. You need to allow yourself time to deal with your grief. Do something else for awhile and if you decide to come back to hospice in the future you'll be better equipped to help the families you work with. There is no shame in taking care of youself.

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Specializes in Med/Surg & Hospice & Dialysis.

I was actually coming to post something similar. Hugs to you and your husband.

I have been a prn hospice nurse for about 8 months. I just brought my mother home with hospice for end stage COPD. She is only 53 years old. I obviously haven't seen any patients since we started hospice. I'm not sure how I will do.

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Specializes in Med/Surg & Hospice & Dialysis.

I wanted to check in and see how the op is doing.

My mother passed tonight. I'm ready to get back to work. I think this experience has helped me better understand the other side of the bed.

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I wanted to check in and see how the op is doing. My mother passed tonight. I'm ready to get back to work. I think this experience has helped me better understand the other side of the bed.

So sorry to hear that.

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