I want to be a nurse and work with people with cancer and leukemia but all my friends and family think that its too depressing, but they don't understand, so is there anyone who already is a palliative care nurse do you find your job too depressing and would you recommend that career path to anyone else? Thank You. X

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fionajane

I want to be a nurse and work with people with cancer and leukemia but all my friends and family think that its too depressing, but they dont understand, so is there anyone who already is a palliative care nurse do you find your job too depressing and would you recommend that career path to anyone else? Thank You. x

---

fionajane;
I did a lot of palliative care for over 30 years. I am retired now and going for a new career in business, I will always be glad for my experience in palliative care.

You tend to bond with your patient very quickly. To help them through this time to the end of their life is special. The family is just as much your patient as the patient. Death is difficult to deal with because it seems it is the end. But that depends on what they believe. That you have the knowledge to keep them comfortable, even you are grateful for that. To be able to do that and to be with them to the end gives you a feeling of doing something useful. You know it is appreciated by the family but the feeling within yourself is something that can't be described very well in words. You are truly saddened to see them go, but glad you were there to help. Satisfaction for a job well done. Knowing you did your best and it was good. Some people have healing hands and a desire to help people and find that they can help the most in that situation. If you feel that is what you want to do then do it and don't let anyone dissuade you. It is your choice and there is always a need for someone who cares. SS