A career in nursing often begins with a desire to help others, and mine was no different. From the moment I entered the profession, I was drawn to the remarkable blend of science, critical thinking, and deep human compassion that defines nursing. It was never just a job—it was a calling. Over the decades, my path through various specialties allowed me to witness the many dimensions of life and health, each chapter adding new layers of experience, empathy, and perspective.

My journey began in labor and delivery, where I was introduced to the awe-inspiring miracle of life. In those early years, I gained a profound respect for the strength of women and the intricacies of birth. It was there that I first learned how sacred it is to be present for life’s defining moments—both clinical and emotional. I discovered that being a nurse means not only applying medical expertise but also offering presence, reassurance, and humanity.

From there, I moved into surgery and operating room management, where I spent over 30 years. The OR environment demanded precision, quick decision-making, and a steady hand. It was a space where lives could change in an instant, and the teamwork was intense and unrelenting. Those years shaped my confidence, honed my clinical skills, and taught me the importance of adaptability and preparation. Managing a surgical team came with its own challenges, but it also offered countless opportunities for leadership and mentorship—an aspect of my work that I found deeply rewarding.

Later, my focus shifted to gastrointestinal nursing and eventually to palliative care. These transitions were not just professional—they were personal. In GI, I encountered patients facing chronic pain and life-altering diagnoses, and in palliative care, I learned how crucial it is to treat not just the illness, but the whole person. It was during this time that I began to reflect more deeply on what it means to support patients whose conditions couldn’t always be cured but whose comfort and dignity could still be preserved.

These reflections naturally led me to hospice nursing—a field that would come to define the most meaningful chapter of my career. For the past 15+ years, I have walked beside patients and families during life’s final journey. Hospice nursing is not only about managing symptoms or providing comfort—it’s about being present. It’s about honoring the fullness of a person’s life, easing their transition, and supporting their loved ones in moments of immense vulnerability.

I have been inspired by the bravery of those facing the end of life and moved by the quiet strength of families holding vigil. I’ve seen the beauty that exists even in sorrow, and the light that comes from human connection in its purest form. Hospice nursing has taught me that presence—simply being there—is sometimes the most powerful form of care we can offer.

Now in my 51st year as a registered nurse, I look back with profound gratitude. Each phase of my career has prepared me for this work. Every patient, every family, every challenge has shaped who I am and the kind of nurse I continue to strive to be. Hospice has not only deepened my understanding of care—it has redefined it.

This work is not easy. It requires emotional strength, deep compassion, and a willingness to sit with pain and uncertainty. But it is also deeply sacred. To be trusted with someone’s final days is an honor I carry with humility and respect. Hospice nursing is the culmination of all I have learned and all I believe nursing can be: a practice of presence, grace, and unconditional compassion.

– Kay O’Leary