Hospice of the Valley- the only community based non-profit Hospice. Proudly serving Pitkin, Eagle and Garfield counties.

What does it mean to be a hospice nurse? Respectfully submitted by Tanja Allen, Registered Nurse, Hospice of the Valley.

Most people think being a hospice nurse is the saddest profession to be in, but it is very meaningful and fulfilling. We are blessed to be a part of a person’s and their family’s lives at a most vulnerable time: end of life. We are welcomed into their home and often are privileged to hear their life stories, best kept secrets, or how they met their spouse of 60 plus years. We often spend time holding their hand or telling our name and why we are there to a dementia patient for the 101st time. The smiles, memories, stories, and tears patients share with us do not just roll off our shoulders, but rather stick with us. We may sit in our cars and cry on our way home after we have lost a patient who made us feel as if we were a part of their family, and not just their hospice nurse. A hospice nurse wears many hats, going way beyond the job description. We enjoy sitting at a kitchen table, hearing how our patient and their spouse were high school sweethearts or listening to our veterans talking about their military service. We provide emotional support and an attentive ear, and yet, we couldn’t do this work without a great hospice team backing us up.

Being a hospice nurse is not always easy, but it is one of the most rewarding professions, knowing we make a difference each day.

“The end-of-life deserves as much beauty, care, and respect as the beginning* by Anonymous.