Visiting Nurse / Hospice Atlanta Blogs

The Daily Routine of a Hospice Atlanta Center RN

By Heidi Callaway, RN Charge Nurse, Hospice Atlanta Center

Providing Around-The-Clock Hospice Care

How does a Hospice Atlanta Center RN even begin to describe a day of care? For starters, patients receive 24 hour around-the-clock care. Each 24 hour period is divided into two shifts of twelve hours; I work 7pm-7am regularly. Every hour for me is the same in terms of serving and caring, but different in terms of symptom management and medical needs. I work on a team with another nurse, usually a RN, and two Hospice Aides. I assess my patients and monitor each one for any symptoms of pain, anxiety, shortness of breath, or any other sign of discomfort. I also administer scheduled medication and provide wound care. For the patients’ family, I am available to discuss care of their loved one and help them fully understand the dying process.
At every shift change, a reporting meeting occurs. These meetings are debriefings on each patient’s last twelve hours of care. We carefully note every detail that the incoming nursing staff will need to know to continue their care. A lot of information is exchanged such as: food consumption, medication doses, temperament, activities, and even the timing of the last bowel movement.
Once the reporting meeting is complete, the outgoing shift leaves and the incoming shift divides the patients and their duties begin. Since our patients need us around-the-clock it is necessary to make sure we are prepared for anything they need, whenever they need it.

The Difference between Residential Patients and Acute Patients

At the Hospice Atlanta Center we have both residential and acute care patients. The acute care patient has a particular symptom that needs to be managed, usually pain or trouble breathing. Once the acute care patient has their symptoms controlled, they most often return home and continue receiving care from our wonderful team of nurses who manage the patient’s care through our medical records system Homecare Homebase.
The residential patient is typically a long-term resident of the Hospice Atlanta Center and live in the inpatient. The staff gets to know each of the patients well and they are cared for like family.
In every case, we work as a team—Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse, Hospice Aide, Chaplain and Social Worker to ensure comfort for the patient and their family.

RNs Work Hard to Make Hospice Feel Like Home

Whether the patient is acute or residential, we encourage everyone to bring a bit of home with them. We love to see family photos and get a glimpse into the lives of our patients. Our patients are valued for who they are as individuals and NOT defined by their diagnosis.
Hospice Atlanta serves a variety of patients, including pediatric. No matter the patient’s age or status I try to spend as much time as I can with each of them. I might be administering medications, listening to stories of their life, telling them a joke, holding their hand or just being in the room with them. In all situations, their comfort is our concern, but their needs are all different. At the end of my 12 hour shift, I organize my notes on all the care given and prepare for the reporting meeting.
When my shift is over I head home to spend time with my own family, but my mind frequently returns to my “family of patients” at Hospice Atlanta Center hoping for peace for each of them.
After 15 years of working in the hospice environment, I still cry when someone moves on, but I am comforted and happy in the role that I played in their care. I can’t imagine this feeling EVER changing. I love each patient and family. I LOVE HOSPICE!

Connect with Us on Instagram
Today, we remember and honor all who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and dedication will never be forgotten. Forever grateful. 🕊️
#MemorialDay #HonorAndRemember #NeverForget #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

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🏌️‍♀️ We’re proud to be part of a great cause on and off the course!

Visiting Nurse Health System | Hospice Atlanta was honored to participate in and sponsor this year's LeadingAge Georgia Golf Tournament—an event that brings together healthcare partners and changemakers in senior care. 

This tournament helps sustain the vital work of LeadingAge Georgia, empowering member organizations that serve and advocate for our aging population across the state. It’s a privilege to be part of a community so committed to compassionate, quality care for older adults. ⛳️💙

#LeadingAgeGA #GolfForACause #SeniorCare #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #HospiceAtlanta #AgingWithDignity #CommunitySupport

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🎉 Please join us in celebrating our Employee of the Month – Dykia Brummitt! 🌟

Dykia’s dedication, compassion, and positive team spirit make a lasting impact on everyone she cares for. Her commitment to our mission and values here at Visiting Nurse Health System shines through in all she does, and we are so grateful to have her on our team. 💙👏

Congratulations, Dykia—you truly embody what it means to provide care with heart! 🏆

#EmployeeOfTheMonth #VisitingNurseProud #HealthcareHeroes #ThankYouDykia #visitingnursehealthsystem

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🎉 Celebrating Nurses Month continues with our incredible nursing team at Hospice Atlanta | Visiting Nurse Home Health! 💙🩺Here's our Home Health team celebrating this week! We’re so proud of our compassionate, dedicated nurses who go above and beyond every day to care for our community in the comfort of their home. Thank you for all that you do! 👏

#NursesMonth #VisitingNurseHealthSystem #ThankYouNurses #hospiceatlanta

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We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us last Saturday for Hospice Atlanta's 3rd Annual Resilience bereavement event. Whether you came to listen, speak, or simply be present, your participation helped create a space of healing, support, and strength.

A special thank you to our incredible speakers, who so generously shared their stories, insights, and compassion. Your words touched many and reminded us all that even in grief, we are not alone.

To every attendee — your presence was powerful. Thank you for showing up for yourselves, and for each other. Together, we honored our losses and found comfort in community. Thank you to our gracious volunteers and staff who supported the event operations. Let’s continue to walk this path together. 💛

 #ResilienceEvent #GriefSupport #ThankYou #HealingTogether #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

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💐Happy Mother's Day!💐

#mothersday #hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem

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Happy Nurses Week! 
Celebrating this week the incredible dedication, compassion, and resilience of nurses here at Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta and everywhere! 🌟🩺
Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, providing unwavering support and care to patients and their families. In 2025, we continue to recognize the vital role they play in our communities and their commitment to improving lives. Let's take a moment to express our gratitude and appreciation for these healthcare heroes. 

Join us in celebrating Nurses Week by sharing a story of a nurse who has inspired you or by simply saying “thank you” to a nurse who has made a difference in your life.

Thank You For All You Do!! Happy Nurses Week! 💙🏥 #nursesweek2025#healthcareheroes#ThankYouNurses#visitingnursehealthsystem#hospiceatlanta

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Thank you Mutual of America for a great time celebrating our mission, Healthcare Champions, and new friends of Visiting Nurse at Mercedes Stadium.

#visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #communityfirst

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We had a great time celebrating OT month, culminating this week with our 2025 Home Health OT Breakfast! 
Thank you OTs for all you do!

#OTMonth #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #teamworkmakesthedreamwork❤️

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Space Is Still Available - Sign Up Today!

Join us for our 3rd Annual Resilience Event on May 17th, 2025.

This FREE event is designed to support those on the grief journey.
Participants will have the opportunity to:
• Hear from others who understand the grief journey.
• Engage in grief break-out groups for shared support.
• Receive tangible tools to cope with loss and grief.
Together, we can build resilience and support each other through grief. Registration Required.

#hospiceatlanta #visitingnursehealthsystem #grief

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As we continue to celebrate our volunteers during National Volunteer Appreciation Week & Month, enjoy this message from one of our longtime volunteers and supporters sharing on why folks volunteer!

Barry gives to our community donating his time and talent in many ways impacting many around the globe, including helping individuals on their grief journey through TGBeyond! Thank you for all you do Barry!

#volunteer #volunteerappreciation #visitingnursehealthsystem #hospiceatlanta #TGBeyond

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