There are patient’s whose death seems to hit us harder than others. People are made to connect and bond together, so it is not surprising when a death of a patient hits us like we just lost a life-long family member.

Allow me to further explain.

As a hospice nurse or caregiver you are in a relationship with your patient. You visit them and spend time with them on a regular basis and that means you are strengthening that relationship. Often times the patient and caregiver relationship is marked by a certain degree of appreciation from the patient to the caregiver. That strengthens the relationship, too.

Imagine if you will a simple cord or rope that thickens and strengthens over time and you are looking at a typical relationship. The more you invest in the relationship with your patient, the more you’ll grieve their passing.