The Joys of Being a Hospice Nurse

Someone said to me recently that hospice work is so intense and sad that they wondered how anyone could do the work, let alone stay with it for years. That got me thinking about all the good memories I carry from my years as a hospice nurse.

Here are a few fond memories:

I remember dressing up every Halloween and making home and hospital visits in costume. I always wore my Mother Nature robe with a wreath of flowers and a wand. Patients' and families' eyes would light up with delight, or maybe surprise and an "oh my goodness!" Either way, it always brought much-needed smiles. I figured that was good medicine.

We also had Halloween costume parties for the volunteers. My go-to costume for those parties was a fortune teller. Those relaxed, playful gatherings brought the volunteers and staff together and helped build a sense of camaraderie.

The three nurses and I once spent a weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks. I remember driving home when a tornado warning sounded. We got off the highway and took shelter in a fast-food restaurant. We huddled with other travelers in a room surrounded by windows. (Not safe at all!) We shared a lot of experiences beyond our work together.

Many of the relationships I formed during my time as a primary care nurse, a patient care coordinator, and then as a director have lasted for decades. A few months ago, I got an email from our receptionist at the time. It had been 34 years since we last had contact. This year I got a letter from the grandmother of a little boy who still holds a place in my heart. I have a very dear friendship that began when we started a hospital-based hospice together. I am still in contact with one of the social workers.

And in my heart, I also carry memories of a few special patients and their partners. They touched my life in ways I still treasure.

Charles became the father I never had. His wife, Eve, and I stayed in touch for years until she died. I also stayed in touch with my first patient's wife until her son notified me of her death.

A small child taught me to believe that our loved ones who have gone before us can come back to help us when it is our turn to leave.

Many, many more have touched my life and made me a better, more fulfilled person.

I believe working with patients, their families, hospice staff, and volunteers can be a calling. For those of us who feel called to this work, it can be fulfilling, meaningful, and something we treasure.

I am speaking for myself, but I think others will agree when I say that my life has been enriched and truly blessed by the end of living work I have done.

Back to “hospice work is so intense and sad.” Yes, it can be intense and sad, but for me, and I believe for many others, it is soul-driven, fulfilling work. Not just a job, but a calling of the heart. Through my work, I have experienced so much joy, love, and friendship, all while helping ease the fear, stress, and unknowns for so many people.

These are the gifts of a fulfilling life.

Something more... about being a hospice nurse

Hospice work asks a lot of you. The End of Life Caregiver Bundle brings together practical resources to help you explain the dying process, prepare families for what’s ahead, and care for yourself along the way—making your job a little easier and helping you approach each visit with confidence.