By: Patricia Berry, Ph. D., RN, CRNH Ken Zeri, KS, RN, CRNH

Hospice nursing is perhaps one of the most unique sub-specialties in nursing practice. The demands on the professional nurse are immense both professionally and personally, however, the rewards are even greater. Nurses entering the world of hospice care often state that, "This is nursing care the way I learned that it should be done in school." It is difficult to put into words the sense of accomplishment a nurse has when the patient and family say, "I couldn't have done it without hospice."

Hospice nursing practice is the provision of palliative nursing care for terminally ill patients and their families with an emphasis on physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual needs. This care is accomplished in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team -- as no one discipline can meet all the needs of terminally ill patients and their families.

Hospice nursing, then, is holistic practice conducted within an affiliative matrix. Hospice nursing demands not only expertise in the physical care of terminally ill patients, but also requires an understanding of and the ability to work closely with other disciplines. Further, it requires professional maturity and flexibility to meet the challenges that role blending and the emotional demands of working with the dying might bring.

It is with this understanding that the authors developed the Hospice Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) course:

1. To introduce the learner to the hospice philosophy of care.
2. To introduce the learner to the practice of nursing in a hospice context
3. To provide the learner with basic knowledge and skills necessary for beginning hospice practice.

Select chapters of this course might be used by the other members of the hospice interdisciplinary Team to increase their understanding of general hospice issues, as well as issues unique to nursing. A student workbook and instructor guide are also utilized with the system.

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