November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month…
Working in the nursing field is both rewarding and challenging, and never was this truer than for those who work as hospice nurses.
People who pursue this career often see it as a calling, a job they’re drawn to. They consider it a privilege to help their patients and the patients’ families learn about and handle the end of life process.
They make a difference
There’s nothing more satisfying than the feeling of doing good to others. As hospice nurses, every action is designed to serve patients and their family members. They help patients remain as pain-free and independent as possible during the time they have left.
“Typically, hospice patients are expected to live six months or less,” according to Registered Nursing.
Because loved ones are aware the patient’s life is coming to an end, there can be less fear and more acceptance and peace. Rather than trying to heal a wound or treat an injury, hospice nurses do as much to emotionally support patients as they do to physically support them.
Additionally, hospice nurses have a positive impact beyond a patient’s personal comfort, according to research in the Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing. When a hospice nurse is involved, there are fewer adverse events in patient care, higher levels of patient satisfaction, more effective communication with other healthcare providers and increased personal growth and professional satisfaction for the nurse.
Read more here…