Our nurse practitioners are an integral part of the iServe Hospice team and are responsible for ensuring that our patients’ needs are met with compassion and expertise.
What is a Nurse Practitioner at Hospice?
Nurse practitioners at the hospice are qualified nurses who have done additional studying to specialize in hospice nursing care. They are often called the doctor’s right hand as they work alongside them.
Nurse Practitioner vs Nurse
Both registered nurses and nurse practitioners have Bachelor’s degrees in nursing, but nurse practitioners have additional certifications that give them the authority to diagnose patients, order tests, and even prescribe treatments. Registered nurses do not have the same prescribing and diagnostic authority.
Nurse practitioners can also manage complex symptoms where registered nurses cannot.
The Role of Nurse Practitioners at Hospice
Nurse practitioners at iServe Hospice have a wide range of roles and responsibilities to make sure our patients’ physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs are met.
- Diagnose conditions. Nurse practitioners can be a great help to doctors on the care team as they have the authority to perform physical exams and diagnose patient conditions. This means they also have the role of communicating patient conditions with patient families. Together, the nurse practitioner and the physician can create a tailored care plan alongside other team members like bereavement specialists and spiritual counselors.
- Assessing patient conditions. Nurse practitioners can assess patient conditions to ensure the treatment plan is still suitable for the patient. They will work with the whole care team in this aspect.
- Monitor vital signs. Nurse practitioners will monitor patient vitals such as heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals. When a patient starts hospice care, their medical team, like doctors, therapists, and specialists, need to be kept in the loop. Nurse practitioners can act as the conduit for patients by keeping track of changing medical information and making sure all care team members know what’s happening.
- Educate caregivers. Nurse practitioners can help educate family members and caregivers on what to expect in hospice care, the patient’s condition, what medications are used, and how to administer them (if allowed). Nurse practitioners can also share some coping methods and offer support to caregivers.
