Intern Morgan Walther- Good Shepherd Hospice (Hospice RN)

Hi, my name is Morgan Walther

The first time I wanted to be a Hospice nurse, was when my aunt Brie ,who is one, was telling me all about it. I’ve grown to have such a love for helping others in need. In some way, I feel like it is my calling. That I was “meant” to do it. There is no job in this world that I could think of being besides that.

I chose this career because I love what the people do. I love that the majority of them feel the same way I do about this job, or helping others. To reach this career goal, to my best abilities, to do the best I can and give all I have at times I am sure it will be tough, but I believe to reach it’s the compassion, the effort, and the drive. When being a Hospice nurse, It is critical that you give your all. You can’t give a little, you have to go all in, because these patients need us, they are depending on us to help them through this challenging time.

There is still many things that I am not aware of, and need to learn about in this career field, There is so much more to it than what I have seen, and what others have seen I am sure. But I would truly like to learn about the deep roots of it all, what truly goes on, how much is really done for them, to me, it’s not really about the money, it’s about doing what I love, and that’s what matters to most. I do tend to get nervous when I think about all I will see. I do believe that I am strong enough to handle it. But at times, watching someone in so much pain, nobody can just sit back and watch that and their heart not ache. I am nervous for my connection with the patience, of course that is my goal, to connect and make them feel just as normal and comfortable as they can be. But I don’t want to struggle at my job when I should be working over a patience uneasiness that could lead to death. I want to show them courage and hope, that everything just might be okay.

I worked as a CNA, and that is a huge advantage being able to see all that goes on, being able to physically help someone in need. Because for awhile I was uneasy about certain things, but I just grew to love the patience, I grew to love seeing the smile on their faces as others entered the room. Making someone feel so important, makes me feel like I am doing something right, and I’m  just as important.

I don’t really and haven’t thought much about other plans in mind, if this doesn’t work out or satisfy me the way I hoped for. My biggest thing, is I want to go into a place and make a difference, I want to go in and help others, I want to leave a place and know that I helped someone that day even if it was a little talk to help them get out of bed, or a big thing like helping them walk for the first time in ages. I could easily see myself working in a rehab facility, for addiction. It’s not my main thing I have in mind, but you are making a difference when you walk in there, People all around are in need of help, in need of comfort as their lives change widely over a certain period of time. To me, it is all about how you make certain situations, how you approach them, how you act during them, about them. So everyday, if you walk into it all, knowing that you could make your day that much better for someone in need, then it’s a good day.

Good Shepherd Hospice is where I will be attending my internship, Good Shepherd is not just a facility center, it is a form of care that addresses medical, emotional, and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and their families.  Good Shepherd opened its first office in 1995. At Good Shepherd hospice, a motto they confide in and have, is “ We are givers, not takers, we are listeners, not talkers, we are promoters of others, not ourselves.” At Good Shepherd, we reach our goals. The average pay for a hospice nurse is $29-$32 dollars hourly.  Which estimates to about $48k-$52k a year. A registered nurse is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Services at hospice include: Home Health Aide Assistance

• Bereavement
• Pharmacy
• Childlife
• Medical Care & Pain Management
• Dietary Consultation
• Medical Supplies, Equipment & Respiratory Services
• Nursing Services
• Pastoral Care
• Child Life Program
• Physical, Occupational, Speech & Respiratory Therapy
• Social Work

I am extremely excited to begin this new journey in my life, I can’t wait to see what all the opportunities bring me.