Richmond County Hospice has made a commitment to our community to provide excellent quality care and customer service. Because we feel strong about our commitment we strive for our clinical staff members to obtain the continuing education and certifications to allow them to grow in the specialty of Hospice and Palliative Care.
Home at Hospice
by Kristina Leyden
Hospice and Palliative nursing practice is a specialty in nursing care for the patient and family, with emphasis on their physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs when experiencing a life-limiting illness and through bereavement. This is accomplished in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team in any setting.
Nurses and nursing assistants who have at least two years’ experience in hospice and palliative care nursing practice are eligible for the CHPN (for nurses) and CHPNA (for nursing assistants) certification. This certification validates an individual nurse’s competence and knowledge in the specialized area of hospice and palliative care. Certification in nursing is highly valued and provides formal recognition of having achieved a standard of knowledge in the specialty and is accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties.
It is with great pride that this past year we were able to send the several nursing staff members to the seminar to become certified in Hospice and Palliative Care. The following nurses and nursing assistant PASSED their exam and are now CERTIFIED:
Heather Monroe, Julie Woody, Teresa Balzer, Hollie Smith, Jenny Mabe, Chris Thornton and Tammy Bull.
Julie Woody, RN, CHPN-Director of Compliance and Organizational Excellence
Heather Monroe, RN, CHPN- Nurse Clinical Specialist
Hollie Smith, RN, CHPN-Inpatient Nurse Manager
Jenny Mabe, RN, CHPN- Home Care Nurse Manager
Teresa Balzer, RN, CHPN- Inpatient Nurse
Tammy Bull, CNA, CHPNA-Inpatient Care Technician
In addition to our nursing staff, our Chaplain Chris Thornton, completed the course and passed his certification as a Chaplain Certified in Palliative Care.
Kristina M. Leyden is interim chief executive officer of Richmond County Hospice in Rockingham.
Kristina M. Leyden, MSW, LCSW
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