The Hospice Nurse

National Nurses Week, May 6-12, recognizes the enormous contributions and positive impact of America’s four million registered nurses, culminating on May 12 — Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

When you’re a nurse you know that every day you will touch a life, or a life will touch yours. – Author Unknown

As a hospice nurse, every day is different but, the one common denominator that remains consistent is that hospice nurses care deeply about their patients and families. I can say with confidence that every day they are touching lives — or a life is touching theirs. It’s a privilege to be welcomed into someone’s home and to walk with them through their journey at the end of life.

During National Nurses Week, Hummingbird Hospice is honored to recognize the inspiring men and women who work as nurses. Moreover, we want to shine a light on the work done by nurses within the hospice community.

A hospice nurse cares for a patient during a fundamental time: end of life. It takes an incredible amount of dedication, compassion and kindness to provide the care and support that hospice patients require. They draw upon nurturing instincts as an essential part of their work caring for these people, providing expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support expressly tailored to the patient’s needs and wishes.

What is hospice nursing?

The role of a hospice nurse is to focus on quality of life and provide hands-on care to manage pain and other symptoms. Nurses order supplies, obtain necessary medical equipment, and ensure medications are available. They also perform patient assessments and create a plan of care for all professional caregivers to follow.

An Unparalleled Passion for Care

Sometimes it’s just about being there and lending an ear. Other times it’s about providing resources for bereavement or simply holding a hand or giving a much-needed hug.

Hospice nurses have the special opportunity to build meaningful relationships with their patients and families because of the amount of time they spend with them during an emotional time, building a foundation of trust. It’s a special bond that is often significant and lasting for patients, families and hospice nurses alike.

Hospice nurses make a real difference in the lives of people they come into contact with, and it can be a truly profound experience for them. Many express a feeling of gratitude that they can play such an important role in the lives of patients and families. In fact, for many hospice nurses they don’t consider it work – but a calling and a deeply gratifying purpose in life.

These extraordinary healthcare professionals make it possible for family members to focus less on providing care and more on simply enjoying what time they have left with their loved one, sharing memories and saying goodbye.

Your Passion Drives Our Purpose

At Hummingbird Hospice, we are in awe of your commitment and passion for delivering the highest quality of care to the many patients and families you serve. We could not be more honored to work alongside so many talented nurses who spend their careers dedicated to the mission of hospice. It takes a special type of professional to work as a nurse and for that, Hummingbird extends its appreciation and a big “thank you” to these people during National Nurses Week.