Since 1980, the Foundation has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Foundation aims to reflect the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors, and entire communities.

Since its humble beginning in granting a little boy's wish who dreams of becoming a police officer, the Make-a-Wish Foundation has grown into an organization that grants a wish of a child every 40 minutes. The organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 174,000 children around the world. A network of nearly 25,000 volunteers enables the Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers, special events assistants and numerous other capacities.

The Foundation offers a volunteer position for every time and talent. Volunteers have a wide variety of options to get involved that match their interests and skills. Volunteer opportunities and availability vary by local chapter. All volunteers are required to complete the volunteer screening process. They must also undergo background check.

Nurses and healthcare workers volunteer their time and talent to help grant a sick child's wish and turn it to reality. Many trained nurses that have earned their certification through an online nursing degree or through campus education look forward to this type of opportunity outside of their regular working hours.

Volunteer nurses, along with doctors, parents and other healthcare workers, refer eligible patients between 2 1/2 and 18 who have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization. They gather information on the child's one true wish. Driven by the child's creativity, they then create an unforgettable experience to enrich the lives of the children and their families, but more often an entire community.

Nurses and doctors as well as other healthcare workers see a lot of benefits in volunteering at Make-A-Wish Foundation. They learn and develop certain skills while teaching others the skills they know. Volunteers also gain work experience; thus, enhancing their resume. Volunteering also creates important network contacts as one meets new people and talk to them about their ambitions, enthusiasm, and care for the community.

One of the nursing organizations who volunteer for the foundation is the Oklahoma Nurses Association (ONA). ONA is a professional organization for all registered nurses in Oklahoma that promotes nursing profession. They help the children with critical medical conditions make their wishes come true. They volunteer, sponsor a wish, and organize special events for the children.

Volunteering also develops the self-confidence and self-esteem of both the patient and the healthcare worker. This helps improve the health situation of the patient. More importantly, volunteers make a big difference in the life of the patients, their families and the community.

Labels: Career Profiles, Charity, Hospice Nurse, Medicare, Nursing Career, Nursing Jobs, Volunteer

A hospice nurse is one of the most important parts of palliative care. Hospice nurses are similar to other nurses in their duties, like the administration of medication, caring for patients and providing emotional support. They also observe patients and work with physicians in order to provide patients with the best care available.

Working as a hospice nurse is not easy. You know from the start that your patient will not survive, no matter what you do. Consequently, the object of the hospice nurse is to monitor conditions and administer medication to reduce pain, not to cure. This special nurse makes sure that the patient's final days of life are comfortable.

It takes a caring person to do this job. You need patience and resolve in order to treat patients you know you can't help. The majority of hospice patients have cancer, but AIDS, Lou Gehrig's disease and heart and lung disease also affect many. The primary job of the hospice nurse is to alleviate pain and prevent suffering, letting the patient live out their final days as comfortably as possible.

The hospice nurse is in charge of mediating between the patient's family and the physician. They are also charged with the coordination of patients and medication. A case manager will ensure that the nursing staff is equipped with all necessary supplies and medication, and is prepared to provide the necessary elements of patient care. Your nurse will design a plan of care, and is trained with a specialized nursing degree to perform skilled nursing procedures.

Hospices are required to provide services, both emotional and spiritual, that allow terminally ill patients to spend their last days at home with family. Many hospice nurses work at the patient's home, spending time with the patient for hours a day. In the event of a crisis, like respiratory failure or the active stage of death, a hospice nurse is required to stay until the event ends through medical care.

Hospices provide around the clock nursing care, supporting your loved ones twenty-four hours a day. As a result, many nurses have to work through the night in order to maintain quality care.

One of the most difficult parts of the role is explaining to the family what to expect. The nurse will walk the patient's family through the final stages of the illness, letting them know when and how to expect the active stage of dying. The nurse also provides emotional support for the family in this difficult time.

Hospice nurses provide care for the family after the death of the patient. Frequently, the nurse will visit in the weeks after the patient's passing to assist in the grieving process.

In order to become a hospice nurse, you'll need to be a registered nurse and have a Bachelor of Science degree is nursing. After two years of full-time work in a hospice nursing practice, you can take the National Board for the Certification of Hospice Nurses' exam. After passing the test, you will be a certified hospice nurse.

Labels: Hospice Nurse, Nursing Career, Nursing Jobs