Content creator and hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos discusses the emotional weight of hospice nursing and how support, recognition, and self-care make it sustainable.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced during long shifts, and what kind of support made a difference?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced during long shifts is the feeling that I’m never doing enough. In hospice care, there’s always more that could be done. You’re constantly managing medications, supporting families, and helping patients through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. It’s emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting. At the end of the day, even after pouring everything you have into your patients, it can still feel like someone is upset or that you somehow fell short.
What has made the biggest difference is when someone takes the time to point out the impact that was made. I remember one shift in particular where I was feeling completely depleted. I had spent hours helping a patient manage their pain, supporting the family, and trying to juggle everything else happening on my caseload. I was sitting in my car at the end of the day, questioning if I had done enough. Then I got a text from a coworker that said, “Her daughter just called and said her mom was finally able to rest. She said what you did today gave her peace.” That one message gave me the strength to come back the next day and do it all over again.
Sometimes, especially in leadership, it’s easy to only focus on complaints or what didn’t get done. However, in hospice care, where we are surrounded by grief, fear, and loss, even small moments of recognition can make all the difference. When a manager shares a thank-you note from a family or acknowledges the comfort we were able to provide, it shifts the entire culture. It reminds us that what we’re doing matters.
This is a hard field, but when the team environment is built around purpose, encouragement, and even just a little bit of joy, it makes the work feel sustainable. In a space like hospice, that kind of positivity goes a long way.
How important is physical comfort and proper rest during or after shifts for a nurse’s well-being and long-term career in the profession?
Physical comfort and proper rest are essential for a nurse’s well-being, especially in hospice, where we’re on the road constantly. Some days I’m driving for hours between visits, climbing stairs, or helping reposition patients, and it adds up quickly. Without time for eating and real rest after a shift, the exhaustion becomes more than just feeling tired; it starts to affect your health and your ability to keep doing the work.
I’ve known many incredible nurses who had to leave the field earlier than they wanted or take desk jobs because their bodies just couldn’t keep up anymore. If we want to retain good nurses, we have to protect their physical well-being just as much as their emotional well-being.
From your experience, what kinds of mental health support are most effective in reducing nurse burnout, especially when staffing is tight?
When staffing is tight, the most effective mental health support isn’t always a formal program; it’s having a culture where people check in on each other and where it’s okay to say, “I’m not okay today.” Burnout gets worse when you feel alone in it. Some of the most helpful moments for me have been when a coworker has just looked at me and said, “That was hard. Are you alright?”
Or, when a manager offers to take one visit off my plate without me having to ask.
I also think there’s power in normalizing mental health days and creating schedules that allow nurses to actually recover. In hospice, especially, we carry a lot of emotional weight. Having space to debrief, talk things through, or even just take a quiet moment without judgment can make a huge difference in keeping someone from hitting their breaking point.
What would you say to inspire people who are thinking about becoming nurses, especially given the current challenges in healthcare?
I’ve been a nurse for a decade now, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most incredible decisions I’ve ever made. There have been hard days, of course, but overall, nursing has brought so much meaning, connection, and purpose into my life. I truly love being a nurse.
What makes nursing so special is how deeply human it is. You’re showing up for people in the moments that matter most. You’re offering comfort, support, and presence in ways that can truly change someone’s life. That never gets old.
One of the things I love most about this career is how versatile it is. There’s room for everyone. If one area doesn’t fit, you can shift into another. I’ve worked at the bedside in hospice, and I’ve also taken a desk job when I needed something different during pregnancy. This profession can grow with you.
Honestly, I’ve seen positive changes over the past ten years. I really have. I believe we can keep making things better. From what I’ve seen in the next generation of nurses, I am so hopeful. Y’all are incredible. You’re headstrong, passionate, and full of heart. I truly believe in you, and I’m so excited to see the impact you’re going to make.
How can hospital leaders or administrators better support their nursing staff?
Hospital leaders can better support their nursing staff by truly listening and creating a culture where nurses feel seen, heard, and valued. That starts with communication. Not just checking a box, but actually asking, “What do you need?” and then following through.
Small changes can have a big impact. Making sure nurses have what they need to do their job well, like manageable staffing ratios, proper supplies, time for breaks, and access to mental health resources. Those things matter more than people realize. When mistakes happen or systems fall short, leadership needs to be willing to take accountability and work toward real solutions, not just pass the pressure onto nurses.
Recognition also goes a long way. When a nurse goes above and beyond or makes a difference in a patient’s experience, that should be acknowledged. It doesn’t have to be formal or grand. Just taking the time to say, “I saw what you did, and it mattered,” can change the tone of someone’s entire week.
Ultimately, the best leaders are the ones who make nurses feel like they’re not doing this work alone.
