As a nurse
working in a hospice, you are going to be working with a lot of very sick
people. Your main job is going to be making sure your patients are as
comfortable as possible. Working with the family and dealing with anything that
may come up, is also a responsibility for the hospice nurse.
At a hospice, a
patient generally has been given a certain amount of time. Patients often
choose hospice care when they want a safe and comfortable journey to the end of
life. Their families can be involved in their care as well.
Hospice Nursing
Working as a
hospice nurse, there is a lot of heavy emotions you deal with. Treating people
who are in their last few moments of life takes a certain amount of dedication.
There is more to it than you might think, and these tasks need to be done with
a great amount of care.
Nursing is not
for the faint of heart, and it is even less so when it comes to end of life
care. Not only are you dealing with patients that are dying, you are dealing
with their already grieving families.
The illnesses
that patients in hospices have are life limiting. Because of this, it is
important for their care to help them do the things they want to do. Living
life does not have to stop at diagnosis, and you will be helping people make
the most out of the time they have left.
Quality Care
Providing the
best care possible is crucial when working in a hospice. Since patients are
counting on you to help them live their lives, you need to make sure they
receive the best possible care. There are certain ways that you can do this.
Controlling pain
is one of the major priorities of a nurse that works in a hospice. Since
patients are terminally ill, it is important to keep the pain that they feel to
a minimum. Whether it be physical or emotional, this pain can make the journey
a lot more difficult.
Pain can be
managed by talking about it, or by taking medication and utilizing therapy.
Alternative therapy may be attractive to someone who is looking for something
different in their last days.
Managing and
preventing complications that arise daily is a big responsibility. Anything can
happen in the medical field, and being prepared for what comes next is a skill
to develop and cultivate.
Going over last
wishes with the patient and their family is something that will help to improve
the care of the patient. Having their wishes fulfilled will bring closure and
peace. Whether it be taking a ride in a corvette or something like flying a
plane for the last time.
Maintaining
quality of life is what working in a hospice is all about. It includes managing
pain, dealing with complications, and looking over plans with patients and
their loved ones. Guiding people through the end of their journey can be
fulfilling if not heartbreaking. This is
why you need to be strong and do your best to take care of them for as long as
possible.
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