Born of a compassionate calling, hospice and palliative care nursing attracts a different kind of person. The role hosts a distinctive combination of warmth, kindness and skill.
“This is a different kind of nursing,” says AMOREM Registered Nurse Care Coordinator, Kelley Chapman. “I spent my whole nursing career making patients better, and in this job, you are spending all your time providing them with comfort-care. It is such a rewarding position. Just being able to be there for patients and their families make this job and your profession as a nurse meaningful and worthwhile.”
Sometimes the purpose of care and support isn’t about helping patients recover from an illness, but instead focusing on making them as comfortable as possible during their end-of-life journey. Contrary to common misconceptions, hospice and palliative care do not hasten or alter the dying process. In fact, studies show that hospice enhances the quality of life for many patients.
Although nursing offers good pay, job stability and flexible scheduling, many people choose to enter the profession for the personal job satisfaction that they gain from caring for others.
“I chose to be a hospice and palliative nurse at AMOREM because of the time that I get to spend with patients and their families in a home setting. It allows me to meet patients and families right where they are and support them in any way possible,” says Chapman. “At AMOREM I can be flexible with my schedule. I know that if a patient needs more time with me, I am able to provide that without worry.”
As Chapman attests, many nurses who work in the hospice field find great fulfillment in helping patients and their families navigate the end-of-life transition with dignity and grace. Many families build a strong rapport with nurses and express great appreciation for the work that they do.
“There is nothing more rewarding than hearing a family tell you that they don’t know what they would have done without you,” says Chapman. “Hearing those words makes every difficult situation worth your time.”
If you’ve ever considered becoming a hospice or palliative care nurse, AMOREM has opportunities available to you. Visit to find the career that best suits your act of love.
A merger of the former Burke Hospice and Palliative Care and Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, AMOREM strives to provide thoughtful, high-quality care and support to patients and their families in Western North Carolina. To learn more about the organization, visit or call 828.754.0101.
