By Jamie Paiva, RN Ferris State University SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT: HARBOR HOSPICE

Harbor Hospice: A Description End-of-life care Expertise in: Pain and symptom management Emotional support & spiritual care Grief support for family members Not-for-Profit agency covering five counties in West Michigan Provides in-home services or offers the Poppen Residence Goal: To keep as much AUTONOMY, DIGINITY, & RESPECT as intact as possible. (Our Hospice: Choosing Hospice, 2015)

Role: Respite Volunteer Provide in-home visits to patients Gives primary caretakers time off Requires two, 3 hour long training sessions Training on patient care activities (ADLs, safe transfers, etc.) My experience included: Over 120 hours of volunteering over one year Three different patients and their families Different illnesses Different stages of the dying process Different types of families/family dynamics Hospice lives its mission to provide empathy, expertise and excellence in end of life caring. (Our Hospice: Our Expertise, 2015)

Critical Reflection My first patient: Required total care Three caretakers One visit per week, three hours per visit My patient’s family: Overworked Thankful What I learned: Family needs help too Holistic approach

Synthesis Caring for terminal ill family member at home requires: Many resources, lots of time, patience, and love Harbor Hospice respite volunteers help rejuvenate both patients and their caretakers/family members Insights related to BSN Outcomes Collaborative Leadership Theoretical Base for Practice Generalist Nursing Practice Scholarship for Practice Healthcare Environment Professionalism

Recommendations Harbor Hospice: A great opportunity for volunteer experiences! Assists a population in need within your own community Is a health-related service “Reinforces the moral and civic values inherent in serving others” (Ferris State University, 2015, p. 1) Will assist in growth and development of the professional nurse

Conclusion Harbor Hospice is highly recommended to potential patients, their families, and as prospective volunteers The family may have as many important needs as the actual patient Personal growth and development as a professional nurse as a result of this service learning project

References Black, B.P. (2014). Professional nursing: Concepts and challenges. (7th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Saunders. Ferris State University [FSU]. (2015). Service learning requirement for the RN to BSN completion program. Retrieved from Ferris State University MyFSU course page Our Hospice: Care Settings. (2015). Retrieved from settings/. Our Hospice: Choosing Hospice. (2015). Retrieved from emi.org/our- hospice/choosing-hospice/. Our Hospice: Our Expertise. (2015). Retrieved from expertise/.