Tag Archives: hospice nurse

NEITHER EXPERT NOR NOVICE

Posted on June 25, 2017 by Amy Getter

Like other families, my first real glimpse of home hospice care was when the team came to help my mom care for my dad the last 3 months of his life. I was not new to watching the dying process, … Continue reading →

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LISTEN. LOVE. BE.

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Amy Getter

A question is asked, “What are the qualities or characteristics that I attribute to a successful leader in the nursing field in today’s ever-changing healthcare landscape?” * Well, some things are unchanging.  Patients are still dying, and nurses are still … Continue reading →

Posted in end of life care, nurses are heroes | Tagged , | 2 Comments

GIFTS OF LOVE

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Amy Getter

Before setting out on my lengthy road trip to an outlying area of the county, I had received the warning that the spouse was a“curmudgeon”.  He had been overly harsh and grumpy with the staff that only yesterday had him signing forms … Continue reading →

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THE WEDDING PLANNER

Posted on August 3, 2013 by Amy Getter

I imagine she looks like she is dying now…..no one other than family members are allowed in to see her these final days.  She was a friend a long time ago, and became more distant over the years, as she … Continue reading →

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EXPERIRI

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Amy Getter

We have a saying in hospice, “Leave your agenda at the door”. This is just a simple way of reminding each other to remember whose death it is that we are following, and who is in charge.  I often tell people, hospice … Continue reading →

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THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Amy Getter

I left the home of an elderly man, having just pronounced him truly dead: his wife told me she kept touching his face to feel it, still warm though his breath was long gone.  I pondered her words spoken in reverence, “We had … Continue reading →

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TAKEN BY SURPRISE

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Amy Getter

“Dying is a lot like birthing, even though you expect it; you are still taken by surprise.” I returned from a brief vacation, and as is the case with hospice nurses everywhere I suspect, I looked at my work emails very late … Continue reading →

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