Reflections on Being a Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse

As we celebrate Nurses Month throughout the month of May, we are recognizing nurses for their commitment to the profession and for providing compassionate care and support to the patients they serve. We thank our nurses for their dedication to our mission to celebrate the lives of those we have the privilege of serving by providing superior care and superior services to each patient and family. 

We invite you to read about one of our nurses.  

Jeanne became a nurse to help others like the nurses that cared for her father-in-law when he was passing with cancer. “His nurses touched my life, and I want to do that for others,” she said. “Kindness means helping to support others, showing compassion and caring unconditionally.”  

One of her favorite memories of being a nurse was when she was with a family who had just lost their father three days prior, and they were there for the death of their mother. They were sitting around the table telling stories of their favorite memories of their parents. They included Jeanne in the discussion. She had gotten to know them during the past year as she provided care for their mother and then their father.  

The daughter told her that she had become a part of their family. “That touched my life,” Jeanne said. “As a hospice nurse, we are always touching lives, and it is very special to have patients and families touch my life and remind me why I do what I do. Being a hospice nurse isn’t for everyone, but I love what I do.” 

To learn more about Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice, please visit: www.CommunityMercyHospice.org