When a hospice nurse with thirty years of experience speaks about what matters most at the end of life, it's a story worth listening to. Jenny Lytle's journey into nursing began with an unlikely inspiration, a childhood fascination with thermometers during her own hospital stays, but has evolved into a profound calling that's taught her what true care really means.
"It's such a privilege to be with people in their hardest times, in their most vulnerable comments," Jenny shares, describing her nearly two decades in hospice nursing. While many assume hospice work must be relentlessly depressing, Jenny reveals a different reality: one where unexpected joy, meaningful connections, and even humor exist alongside grief. She dispels common misconceptions, like hospice means "giving up" or that patients no longer receive medication, and explains instead how the focus shifts to quality of life defined by each individual's unique priorities.
The conversation takes a deeply personal turn when Jenny describes helping finding her mother, also a nurse, receive hospice care in her final hours after a brain aneurysm. This devastating experience solidified what Jenny had observed throughout her career: healthcare providers excel at caring for others while neglecting their own needs. The realization sparked her mission to help caregivers develop sustainable self-care practices, culminating in her book "Self-Care Isn't Selfish" and the development of personalized approaches that don't feel like additional burdens.
For anyone considering a healthcare career, particularly in emotionally demanding fields like hospice, Jenny offers reassuring wisdom: it's not about caring less or becoming hardened, but about establishing boundaries and self-care practices that allow you to remain present and compassionate without burning out. Whether you're a pre-health student, a seasoned provider, or simply curious about the human side of medicine, this conversation will transform how you think about care, both for others and yourself.
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And check out more of what Jenny has to offer at her website: jennylytle.com

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