How do you support your own mental health in such an emotionally charged position?

I focus on how I helped. I don’t think “No one else could do what I do” but think of how I helped ease or even eliminate patient suffering while respecting their wish to improve quality of life rather than fighting for more days on earth.

In addition, we have to remember to take our selves out of work mode to care for our selves. We have to remember to take those weekend trips with family/friends, reflect on our own spirituality, and maybe even pamper ourselves with a day at the spa.

I looked at my job in hospice as one does in Labor & Delivery. The L&D team's best goal is to have a peaceful successful birth. The hospice team 's goal is to have a peaceful, quiet, expected death. I may be weird, but I have always felt that being at the bedside or with the family at the time of death is an honor that I cherished.

I spent 10 years as a Hospice nurse and loved every moment of it. It is a very emotional and stressful job. To handle your own mental health you first need to understand that helping someone to the end of their journey is an honor that is trusted upon you as a hospice nurse. You will shed many tears, build friendships and it will change your point of view on life and death. To support your own mental health, please live life to it's fullest and appreciate every blessing that you have. Take time off for you and your family. If you are burned out, you can not be the support for the families who need you. Do de-stress in a way that is healthy and have an outlet so that you can reflect and focus on yourself; mine was always riding along the beach looking and listening to the waves and focusing on blessings in life. Go to funerals if your agency allows so that you to can have closure with a lose of a patient. Speak to the chaplain, your own minister or a trusted family member so that you do not become impartial to lose and death. Most of all, take the time to support yourself; don't let the job become all consuming. I hope this helps.

Marion! It is so interesting that you linked hospice and L&D because as an L&D nurse I have also been drawn to hospice (as have many of my colleagues). Even the show Meet the Midwife - the main character ends up going into hospice care!
Must be the beginning and ending of life - we are drawn to both sides :)

I try to disconnect when I go home; finding meditation time and healthy activities are some of the best ways for me. Ultimately living life to it's fullest.

By remaining empathetic and not sympathetic, I respect their journey that has brought them to our meeting. I don’t take anything from one patient to another and I don’t take my work home.

There is no 'right' answer to such a question. That said, and challenging as such may be, we must remember that 'death' is a part of 'life'. I find that supporting those who are grieving the death of a friend/loved one helps me to remain (more) professional (I still find that I am human and must accept that there are times when it's okay to cry). Remaining there for them, instead of allowing the event to be about my feelings, allows me to stay focused on their experience and to help them through such as best is possible.

In nursing school we were taught “you are here to heal and return patients (and their family) to their life BUT you are also here to facilitate a peaceful death “. Provide care an support that best suits each unique situation.

I have received several letters after my patient had passed away thanking me for the support to the entire family.

Make sure to be present for your patient at the time of transition to the other life , believe you did your best and find you way to be happy after work.

Find a hobby that you enjoy doing. Working as an Oncology nurse, I’ve also provided End of Life Care (7yrs). Mentally & emotionally I was very involved
With my nursing specialty choice until one day, I felt like I couldn’t give anymore. Then, I discovered running.Running was was my outlet. Running clears my head. Running gave me the strength, energy and positive mind/attitude. Running helped me focus. Our job as a nurse is stressful regardless of our specialty. We must take care of ourselves. We must take the time to do what our whole being
Requires to become healthy functional unit. We must nourish our soul. Find what
makes you feel recharged and renewed.

The first line of defense is self-care, meditate, work out, relax to decompress; otherwise just do things that bring you joy and, importantly my connection with GOD