Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard Recognizes Nurses in Our Care
During National Nurses Month, we recognize our Nursing Honor Guard. The Nursing Honor Guard of Ohio’s Hospice honors nurses who are in hospice care with Ohio’s Hospice.
The Nursing Honor Guard is made up of Ohio’s Hospice nurses who conduct a ceremony at the patient’s bedside. Dressed in traditional and historical uniforms comprised of a blue and red cape, white dress and cap, the Nursing Honor Guard recognizes nurses for their commitment to caring and providing compassion to patients.
“When we perform the ceremony in our facilities, our residents instantly recognize us as nurses by our white uniforms and caps and capes,” said Gail Satterthwaite, RN float at Community Care Hospice. “I have witnessed the joy and pride that comes to each nurse honored for their nursing career. It is an honor to be a small part of this service.”
During the ceremony, the Nursing Honor Guard highlights a nurses’ career and individual achievements. “Though your nursing tasks are complete, they are not forgotten,” the Nursing Honor Guard tells patients. “It is our honor to express our respect for you as a nurse and our gratitude for the care you have given.”
The ceremony also includes the recitation of the Florence Nightingale Pledge, a statement of the ethics and principles of the nursing profession.
Jena Langford, BSN, RN, BS, CCM, CHPN, was instrumental in forming the Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard in 2016. “Nursing is one of the most trusted and honored professions. Nursing is a calling,” she said. “We are honoring our nurses, past and present, who have given one’s self to enhance the lives of others.”
Since its kickoff during National Nurses Week in 2016, the Nursing Honor Guard has performed almost 200 tributes at the bedside of nurses who are in our care across all Ohio’s Hospice affiliates. Nurses from Ohio’s Hospice volunteer to serve in this program. They travel to wherever the patient calls home to acknowledge a patient’s many years of service as a nurse.
Due to COVID-19, most tributes have been postponed at Ohio’s Hospice affiliates. Our Nursing Honor Guard looks forward to continuing the tributes when it is safe to do so.
Thank you to nurses everywhere for your care and service and to all nurses who make up the Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard!
Find an Ohio’s Hospice affiliate near you: https://www.ohioshospice.org/locations/
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