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Sponsored content: How it feels to be a hospice nurse

Oanh Hoang
Hospice of the Valley
Oanh Hoang.
Courtesy

If someone had asked me this question seven years ago, when I was a new graduate nurse, I would have said it felt terrifying, depressing, frightening, and sad. However, my feelings have changed since I became a hospice nurse 4.5 years ago. Let me explain why.

My nursing journey began at Vibra Hospital of Fargo in Fargo, North Dakota, where I worked for 2.5 years. I cared for a diverse adult population with complex medical needs, including respiratory failure, renal failure, liver failure, chronic wounds, and long-term antibiotic therapy, among others. Each time a patient passed away during my shift, I felt emotional, and tears would fall uncontrollably. Most of the deaths in the hospital were sudden, causing extreme pain, distress, and grief for the patient’s families. I empathized deeply with them, feeling their sadness and sorrow. As a new graduate nurse, dealing with death was difficult, and I never imagined I would someday become a hospice nurse. The thought of facing death every day was terrifying.

Life took unexpected turns, and fate led me to become a hospice nurse when I moved to the valley. I have served as a hospice nurse with Homecare and Hospice of The Valley for 4.5 years, primarily caring for the Roaring Fork Valley population. If someone were to ask me how it feels to be a hospice nurse now, I would tell them to grab a soda, popcorn, and snacks, and get comfortable because I could talk for hours about what it’s like.



My feelings start with gratitude. I am grateful to be a part of the final phase of my patients’ lives, walking alongside them and their families toward a peaceful end. For all my hospice patients, time is the most valuable thing they have. Most of my patients are eager to spend time with me, and I am always willing to go the extra mile to make them happy and comfortable.

One of my 100-year-old patients enjoys spending an hour visit with me, teaching me about his life and world history. I feel truly amazed and honored to hear these stories and learn from him.



I feel warmth. I remember my 80-year-old former patient’s wife, who always gave me an apple and five cookies after every visit. She taught me the balance between healthy food and comfort food. Because of her, I now eat one apple every day. After my patient passed away, whenever I visited her, she would make me a batch of her signature chocolate cookies.

I feel loved. Many of my patients and their families consider me part of their family. We go through thick and thin together while my patients are on hospice care, and after they pass away, our bond continues to grow. I remember one of my 88-year-old patients and her daughter, who were so proud of me for continuing my education. When she was admitted to the hospital for treatments, she made sure to tell the hospital staff that I had been accepted into one of the best MSN programs in the country. She was so proud of me, like I was one of her grandchildren. I feel incredibly loved when my patients and their families support every step of my career.

I feel like I can be a child again. When we were young, we often engaged in role-playing, and as a hospice nurse, I get to do a lot of role-playing too. I take on the roles of a barber and hairstylist, cutting and styling my patients’ hair. I play the role of a nail technician, doing manicures and pedicures. I become a massage therapist, giving my patients relaxation time. Sometimes, I play the role of a restaurant chef, preparing dinner and making a flan dessert for my patients. Occasionally, I even become a gardener, gardening alongside my patients. One of my current 89-year-old veteran patients loves for me to give him a military haircut every three weeks, trim his nails every two weeks, and give him a massage weekly. I feel fulfilled when my patients allow me to do these things for them, and I feel happy when they enjoy my services.

Along with all these rewarding feelings, I also feel sadness when my patients pass away. But this sadness is different from the sadness I felt seven years ago. I grieve for their loss, but I know they lived wonderful lives, and their final journey was peaceful, as they had hoped. I feel content. There are many cultural barriers and social stigmas surrounding hospice care in the community. Hospice is not a place to die; it is a place to enjoy what remains of life in comfort. To all the patients facing terminal illnesses in the community: If you are still fighting your illness and seeking curative treatment, please continue. However, if you decide to stop curative treatment and seek comfort care, please consider Homecare and Hospice of the Valley.

Oanh Hoang is a clinical supervisor and hospice case manager. She has a bachelor’s of science in nursing, is a registered nurse, a certified hospice and palliative nurse and progressive care certified nurse.

Hospice of the Valley is an independent, local non-profit serving Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin counties. Hospice provides compassionate and dignified care when you or your loved one is facing a life-limiting condition. This Hospice provides end-of-life care that provides comfort for your Mind, Body, and Spirit. Hospice care can be provided at home, at an assisted living facility, at a long-term care setting, or even at a hospital.

Hospice services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week as needed. The Hospice care team includes: Your personal care physician, a Hospice Medical Director, Registered Nurses, Certified Nursing Assistants, Social Workers, Chaplains, Dieticians, Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapists, Volunteers and Bereavement Counselors. This team provides the support you and your loved ones need so that you can have quality time together and be surrounded with peace, comfort, and dignity. For more information, visit hchotv.org.


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