The Hospice Nursing Podcast

In this episode I make some announcements on future plans for the show.==============================As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from [email protected]==============================Be sure to check out  thehospicenursingcommunity.com for extra content as well as hope, help and encouragement from other hospice nurses just like you!

In this episode my good friend, Mike Barrett, returns to the show to share his own story of losing his mother in the last month.Mike shares with us why he wanted to share this with us so soon after his mother’s death. He also goes into detail on how overwhelming everything was. He explains how hard it must be for our patients and their caregivers who have no medical knowledge yet are still expected to make sure difficult decisions.Finally, at the end of the show, mike shares with us how is faith has paid an important role in his ability to accept the outcome of his mom’s journey.I hope you will take the time to listen and be encouraged by Mike’s story!==============================As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from [email protected]==============================Be sure to check out  thehospicenursingcommunity.com for extra content as well as hope, help and encouragement from other hospice nurses just like you!

In this episode I talk about the importance of asking good questions that help our patients and caregivers move forward in their acceptance of an end of life experience.The questions in this episode are the following…Is what I’m seeing something new?What does the word “hospice” mean to you?What do you hope these appointments will do for you?What do you plan to do when she stops feeding herself?Does he/she seem comfortable to you?What does comfortable look like for you?How can I best help you today?At the end of the episode I do a little experiment with awkward silence. Ultimately, I explain that we tend to talk too much and listen too little.==============================As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from [email protected]==============================Be sure to check out  thehospicenursingcommunity.com for extra content as well as hope, help and encouragement from other hospice nurses just like you!

Welcome to part 2 of the top 10 things I have learned in my first 10 years as a hospice provider!In this episode I cover items 6-10 of my list.6. Work/life balance doesn’t happen by accident7. Hospice is about repeatable and predictable behavior in every department8. Haloperidol is the best first option to treat terminal restlessness9. Staff centric agencies build the best foundation for success10. Hospice is 80% psychosocial….for everyoneIn this episode I encourage everyone to check out 3 different episodes of the show.Episode 15 at https://www.confessionsofahospicenurse.net/episode-fifteen-success-in-the-alf/Episode 16 at https://www.confessionsofahospicenurse.net/episode-sixteen-the-last-7-days/Episode 17 at https://www.confessionsofahospicenurse.net/episode-seventeen-the-ltc-facility/I also reference an interview with Mark Randolph. One of the men who started Netflix.https://youtu.be/HSVbD7RhOHU?si=THv7ehzCNj-4iApa==============================As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from [email protected]==============================Be sure to check out  thehospicenursingcommunity.com for extra content as well as hope, help and encouragement from other hospice nurses just like you!

Welcome to episode 57 of The Hospice Nursing Podcast!In this episode I start with the top 5 things I have learned in my 10 years of hospice experience.Case management is the foundation of all hospice careCase management success is in the detailsThere is not just one way to do hospiceModel the behavior you want to see in othersYour current company isn’t as bad as it seems, and the company you want to move to isn’t as great as it seams.While covering these ideas, I make sure to point out that nobody is doomed to failure just because they don’t’ have case management experience.I also explain that keeping a patient on hospice care is more dependent on the details than it is on the big picture.I share my thoughts on leadership, and I explain that leaders can’t expect their staff to behave in a way that isn’t modeled for them.At the end of this episode I explain that all hospice providers have their flaws, and we shouldn’t expect our next employer to be perfect.==============================As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from [email protected]==============================Be sure to check out  thehospicenursingcommunity.com for extra content as well as hope, help and encouragement from other hospice nurses just like you!

I’m back from a 6 month break from producing the show!In this episode I explain why I chose not to record any episodes in the last 6 months. I then review some of the things I learned during a massive growth spurt at my agency.I review the importance of self care, and I share some of my own personal health issues this year.I share what I learned about the importance of an orientation program. I explain the importance of hospice leadership being willing to get out into the field and help during times of crisis.Finally, at the end of the show, I explain that everyone has physical and mental limitations and how I am no exception.==============================As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from [email protected]==============================Be sure to check out  thehospicenursingcommunity.com for extra content as well as hope, help and encouragement from other hospice nurses just like you!

In this episode I answer 3 questions from the hospice nurse support group on facebook.  The first question has to do with giving liquid morphine every 6 hours scheduled and PRN morphine every 3 hours PRN.The second question involves using Tramadol for pain management.The third question has to do with elevated vital signs for actively dying patients.==============================As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from [email protected]==============================Be sure to check out  thehospicenursingcommunity.com for extra content as well as hope, help and encouragement from other hospice nurses just like you!

In this episode I explore 11 things I learned from my 30 year friendship with Chuck Schroeder.  Chuck Schroeder went to be with Jesus on March 21st 2024. He was a monumental figure in my life. After speaking at his Celebration of Life service, I decided to do a podcast episode sharing what I learned from him.In this episode I explore the following lessons I learned from Chuck.Plan your work. Work your plan.Never give up on someoneDon’t be afraid to help your teamMeet you team’s emotional needs firstNothing (in business) is fatalDon’t make decisions out of fearMake decisions that reflect YOUR characterSay what you mean. Mean what you say.You’re never too old to learn or get betterIf you’re not growing, you’re dyingI ultimately don’t answer to man==============================As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from [email protected]==============================Be sure to check out  thehospicenursingcommunity.com for extra content as well as hope, help and encouragement from other hospice nurses just like you!

In this episode I am privileged to interview Barbara Karnes, RN.Barbara is an award winning end of life educator, award wining nurse, NHPCO Winner 2018 & 2015 International Humanitarian Woman of the Year.Yeah, she’s a big deal, and she took time out of her busy schedule to spend some time on the show.To start out the episode, Barbara tells us the story of how she first entered hospice as a volunteer even though she was an RN.She shares with us the origen story of “The Blue Book” also known as “Gone From My Sight.”Barbara also introduces us to her new booklet, “Always Offer, Never Force: Food at the End of Life.” She explained how this booklet is the result of her own experience with the loss of her husband recently.We discuss why death is actually not a medical event, and we talk about pain at the end of life.  Finally, Barbara give us some self care tips that include ways of having closure with the loss of our patients.Please be sure to check out her website at BKBooks.com to pick up your own copies of all her booklets.Be sure to follow Barbara Karnes on your favorite social media platform.InstagramPinterestFacebookLinkedInTwitterYouTube==============================As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from [email protected]==============================Be sure to check out  thehospicenursingcommunity.com for extra content as well as hope, help and encouragement from other hospice nurses just like you!

In this episode I discuss the three-legged stool that makes up a hospice agency.The three legs are Sales, Operations and Clinical. If either of these legs is having problems, the stool is at risk to fall down.I recently had a listener ask me to discuss the differences between office staff and field staff. She asked the following question.I am wondering if you have already completed a podcast on the differences between what management does in the office compared to what field nurses do, and how each impacts the other. It sounds like you have held each position and can can safely compare and contrast. For instance I know I have heard and seen a lot of field nurses say “ it’s easy for management to sit up there in the office and dictate what should be happening out here – while they are in the office drinking coffee and having a real lunch break” I know that’s not true but it’s easy to think that when we run in and out for supplies for a short time. In this episode I explain how Operations really drives the culture of the agency. It is Operations that provides a positive or negative environment for everyone to function within.I also explain how poor leadership can really affect the moral of the organization.==============================As always, don’t forget to call, text or email to leave feedback! I would love to hear from [email protected]==============================Be sure to check out  thehospicenursingcommunity.com for extra content as well as hope, help and encouragement from other hospice nurses just like you!