by Rashani Rea & Kathy Douglas
Those who companion suffering daily, such as hospice nurses and volunteers, will surely appreciate this beautiful work. With 62 original art collages by Rashani Réa, five beautiful chapters by Kathy Douglas, and a foreword by Jean Watson, this exquisite book is a peaceful refuge for contemplation, inquiry, reflection and inspiration for those who traverse the joys and sorrows of nursing.
Kathy Douglas, RN, MPH-HA is a nationally recognized nurse leader, filmmaker and entrepreneur.
Rashani Réa is a prolific artist and musician, a creatrice of sanctuaries and a respected spiritual mentor.
“This is a beloved book and beyond a book. It is an evocative, poetic, ecstatic, and inspirited sacred, experiential calling. A calling to you--YES, YOU.”
— Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, Living Legend (AAN)
“Those who companion suffering daily need to turn inward to metabolize what they have witnessed. This exquisite book, filled with beautiful images and poetic wise words, is the inspiration and support needed to grow a wise heart.”
— Frank Ostaseski, founder and director of the Metta Institute and author of The Five Invitations: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully
“In this unique time of the COVID-19 pandemic, this book should be considered a tribute to the tremendous courage being displayed by nurses around the world. There is much wisdom conveyed throughout by those who have been there serving others with such grace.”
— Greg Schneider President, HVA, co-author of The Changing Face of Hospice Volunteering in Hospice and Palliative Care
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Replies
That's bizarre but it's impractical for my patient's family to call the Hospice between business hours only...things come up and I have to be sensitive to that. The whole point of Hospice work is to be available. Deano
Hi Deano,
The situation I encountered is rare. I know what you mean. I had a hospice patient close to my home and I gave them my phone number. They called me when there loved one was actively dying in between my visits and they were uncertain about what was happening and when he would die. I came over and spent a couple hours with them calming their fears.
The main concern hospices have is maintaining your boundaries. I think you have to just use your best judgment erring on the side of trying to respect your boundaries first and making exceptions when it feels right.
Greg Schneider
HCF Creator & HVA Founder/President
Dear Deano,
We apologize for the long delay responding to your question. The answer to your question is no, this is not the law. It is just considered best practice for maintaining "good" boundaries with your patients and their families. In my career in hospice volunteering for the last 20+ years there have been situations where I connected with families I served for years after the death of their loved one. It can be healing for them to know that you remember their loved one for years after their death.
I personally know of a situation where a volunteer shared her phone number with a patient at the hospice I was volunteering with and it had bad repercussions. She was harassed and threatened. She ended up having to leave the residential hospice because she did not feel safe. So you need to be cautious.
Hope that helps.
Greg Schneider
HCF Creator & HVA Founder/President