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Hospice nursing can be difficult. Many times nurses transitioning into hospice care face struggles they would not encounter in other specialties. However there is a level of recognition involved in hospice care as it necessitates better care of patients and a stronger connection to the job and self. Many nurses working in hospices have detailed their work experiences in reflective essays and even journal articles. "Chapter members are nominated by peers in recognition of their contribution to oncology nursing and to ONS, both locally and nationally. The timing of the award prompted me to reflect on my nursing values and the steps that led me to where I am today" (Thompson, 2013, p. 673). This essay will include the experience of one community health nurse by the name of Rosalind and her struggles and triumphs in hospice nursing.
Research has gone into hospice care and community SPCs. An article by Levin, Swider, Breakwell, Cowell, & Reising reveals a correlation with Quad Council competencies. "Results indicate strong alignment of community-based specialty competencies with Quad Council competencies. Community-based specialty-specific content that did not align well is identified, along with examples of didactic and clinical strategies to address gaps" (Levin, Swider, Breakwell, Cowell, & Reising, 2013, p. 557). These clinical strategies discuss viewing patients and nursing in general, in a holistic way using creative approaches in dealing with emerging problems and concerns. Rosalind herself has stated she has done some research in other fields like home nursing to...
"A meta-analysis found evidence to be inconclusive that community SPCSs that offer home nursing increase home deaths without compromising symptoms or increasing costs. But a compelling trend warrants further confirmatory studies" (Luckett et al., 2013, p. 279). Hospice care much like home care, involves a more in depth care of patients. Rosalind explains her role as a hospice nurse involves constant collaboration with other health care providers such as social workers, chaplains, and physicians. She functions within an interdisciplinary team composed of volunteers and specially trained professionals. She also stated her main focus is on end-of-life care.
End-of-life care can be difficult to manage and at times, very costly. Normally terminally ill patients suffer from cancer and other serious diseases that become expensive to treat. Policies must be enforced to deal with the strain of such costs. "Policies focused on enhancing the palliative care workforce, investing in the field's science base, and increasing the availability of services in U.S. hospitals and nursing homes are needed to ensure equitable access to optimal care for seriously ill patients and those with multiple chronic conditions" (Meier, 2011, p. 343).
Rosalind mentions her duties are often involving 24-hour availability on her part as well as consistent and constant management of pain and other symptoms. In terms of patient connection, she…
References
Levin, P.F., Swider, S.M., Breakwell, S., Cowell, J.M., & Reising, V. (2013). Embracing a Competency-Based Specialty Curriculum for Community-Based Nursing Roles. Public Health Nursing, 30(6), 557.
Luckett, T., Davidson, P.M., Lam, L., Phillips, J., Currow, D.C., & Agar, M. (2013). Do Community Specialist Palliative Care Services That Provide Home Nursing Increase Rates of Home Death for People With Life-Limiting Illnesses? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 45(2), 279.
Meier, D.E. (2011). Increased Access to Palliative Care and Hospice Services: Opportunities to Improve Value in Health Care. Milbank Quarterly, 89(3), 343.
Rosser, M., & King, L. (2003). Transition experiences of qualified nurses moving into hospice nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 43(2), 206. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02695.x
Hospice Care and Catholic Ethics Is Hospice care consistent with Catholic bioethics? Chapple, in her discussion of the topic "Hospice care" in Catholic health care ethics, argues that ultimately the answer is yes, but she acknowledges that there are levels of difficulty in answering the question (Chapple 2009). The ethics of Hospice care present us with a complicated question, insofar as Catholic teachings on end-of-life care have at times provoked public
However, they are often emotionally isolated and are unable to determine whether or not they are loved by their family members or whether they will be missed after passing on. This often happens because the family members are not directly involved in providing hospice care to their patients. Hospice care can be a great way of strengthening the connection between the terminally ill patient and their loved ones and
Hospice Staff, Volunteers, and Hospice Patients There are very few critics of the Hospice organization, and rightfully so. Who could criticize such a helpful, vital organization? Indeed, if Hospice wasn't available to provide their pivotal services, then who would be there? A key reason for the value of the Hospice group is that there is a general acceptance among thoughtful people that Americans do not handle death very well. And
Kubler-Ross became an advocate of the hospice concept, and testified before Congress in 1972, where she advocated patient care at home for those with terminal illnesses. This helped lend support to the growing call for hospice care in America. After her testimony, hospice legislation was introduced in Congress in 1974, but it did not pass. It did however, bring the idea to light, and the movement began to spread
Who provides the care is dependent upon the patient and the type of care their illness requires. Also, some families are more active in taking care of end of life patients than other families. Indeed, hospice care providers have a significant number of responsibilities as it relates to taking care of the patient. The type of illness that the patient has can increase or decrease the number of responsibilities of
Nursing is a science and an art, combining evidence-based practice with a practice based on caring, compassion, kindness, and respect. Evidence-based practice legitimizes nursing as a profession, as it eliminates guesswork during the delivery of care and ensuring a scientific foundation for clinical decisions. Nursing involves following and often developing the standards and procedures that promote both individual health and public health. As an art, however, nursing involves caring for