Literature Review

Hospice Savannah launches Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program Savannah Tribune, Savannah, GA; Press Release; 12/17/25 Hospice Savannah is proud to partner with Senior Citizens, Inc. and Savannah Technical College to launch the Edel Caregiver Institute’s Weekend Certified Nursing Assistant Training Program. ...  Open to all community members, the program provides full CNA accreditation through Savannah Tech and will include specialized dementia and elder-care skills training. For those who qualify, scholarships are available offering tuition assistance, CAT Bus vouchers, childcare support, discounted meals, and immediate employment opportunities with Hospice Savannah or Senior Citizens, Inc. upon successful completion and certification.Editor's Note: This innovative CNA Training Program was awarded a $50,000 grand from Savannah Philanthropic Partners, under the leadership of President/CEO Kathleen Benton.

Award-winning documentary chronicles hospice nurse’s final 39 days Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) and TGBeyond, Washington, DC; Press Release; 12/1/25Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) and TGBeyond today announced the release of A Butterfly Has Been Released, an award-winning short documentary, alongside a new professional continuing education program, From Caregiver to Patient: Hospice Nurse Allyson’s Final 39 Days. Pre-purchase is available now, with formal release in January 2026. The 36-minute film follows Allyson, a hospice nurse with more than 20 years of experience guiding patients and families through death and grief, as she navigates her own final 39 days after a life-limiting diagnosis. Through candid kitchen-table conversations, a 150-person living funeral, and a natural green burial, Allyson demonstrates what she spent decades teaching others: live with purpose, presence, and connection until the very last day.Editor's Note: Is the concept of a "living funeral" new to you? I've seen this moving film several times, with a group discussion among healthcare professionals led by its producers Jason Zamer and Barry Koch. Click here for its 2-minute trailer.

Can tech restore the human side of care? Becker's Health IT; by Ella Jeffries; 11/14/25 Technology has been both a promise and a problem in healthcare. When EHRs arrived in hospitals, they were heralded as a revolution — bringing order to messy paper charts and standardizing how care was documented. But soon after, clinicians found themselves staring more at screens than at the patients sitting in front of them. Now, nurse leaders say the very systems that once distanced them from patients could hold the key to rebuilding that connection.

Coordinating at-home care, enhancing quality of life as a hospice nurse case manager Grand Haven Tribune; by Emmanuel Hospice; 11/19/25 Throughout her career, Brittany Rickert has explored nursing jobs in various settings but keeps getting drawn back to hospice. For her, there's little out there that offers such a unique and rewarding experience. "There are landmarks throughout our lives and death is one of them," says Rickert, a nurse of 15 years. "It is very special to be allowed into that sacred space with patients and their loved ones, to support them through such a pivotal portion of their life." ... She defines her position as the "coordinator of the patient experience altogether," working alongside an interdisciplinary team to bring supportive services directly to patients, wherever they call home.

Empathy is the strongest form of leadership: Kyle Godhard Cleveland.com; by guest columnist Kyle Godhard, VP of Human Resources at Hospice of the Western Reserve; 11/16/25 ... In hospice care, that compassion runs especially deep. Staff walk alongside patients and families in their final days, often carrying emotional weight long after each goodbye.  In such a setting, leadership must offer more than direction; it must offer empathy. At Hospice of the Western Reserve, we believe compassionate leadership is not only kind, but also strategic. And it may be the most important investment any healthcare organization can make. ... Compassionate leadership doesn’t replace high expectations. It strengthens them. It builds teams that trust one another, stay committed and show up fully for patients and families. 

Navigating choice: Eating, drinking and decision-making at end of life for individuals with cognitive impairmentJournal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology; by Laura Chahdaa, Druvni Pererab, Darcy Longc, Laura Knauerb, Sanora Yonand; 10/25Current clinical guidelines offer limited direction for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) supporting eating and drinking decisions in palliative care (PC), particularly for individuals with dysphagia and co-occurring cognitive impairment. This population presents unique clinical, ethical and interpersonal challenges that often fall outside existing frameworks such as ‘Eating and Drinking with Acknowledged Risk’. This scoping review explores the key considerations for SLPs involved in end-of-life decisionmaking in these complex cases. A qualitative scoping review was conducted and analysed thematically [and] ... six overarching themes were identified: person-centred care; emotional and relational dynamics; ethical decision-making complexity; medical risk; barriers to effective clinical practice; and legal considerations. Findings reveal inconsistencies in practice and limited guidance for SLPs navigating care for individuals with cognitive impairment at the end of life.

Understanding the importance of leadership development training in today's workforceJoyRulez - JR; by davidnbell; 11/10/25 Leadership development training has become a cornerstone for businesses aiming to create a sustainable and high-performing workforce. This article explores the significance of leadership development training and its role in shaping the future of organizations in the United States. ... 

Developing person-centred care in hospices through the voice and leadership of nursing: lessons from the United Kingdom Frontiers in Helath Services; by Erna Haraldsdottir, Marie Cooper, Heather Richardson; 10/15/25 Conclusion and implications for practice: Humanising healthcare is a global agenda, and within hospice care, nurses are at the heart of transforming care to be more person-centred. They are well-positioned to reclaim the core principles of palliative care, as developed by Cicely Saunders, and push back against the medical model that has overshadowed the development and integration of palliative care into current healthcare systems. Nurses are expert practitioners and leaders who hold positions of authority within their organisations. Yet, for many, their change-making potential is not realised. 

Four nurses in two weeks assaulted at Essentia Hospitals: Nurses say violence is a consequence of unsafe staffing and inaction Minnesota Nurses Association, Brainer, MN; Press Release; 10/28/25Nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) are once again outraged and deeply concerned after two more violent assaults on nurses at Essentia Health. A nurse at Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd was attacked by a patient last Thursday, followed by another assault at the same facility over the weekend. The latest incidents come less than two weeks after two nurses were injured at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. Four nurses assaulted in under two weeks reflects a dangerous pattern in Essentia facilities—one that nurses have been warning about for years.Editor's Note: Continue reading for preventable actions and red flags, "True safety comes from care-based prevention." These were hospital settings; the home care settings your staff and volunteers enter provide much higher risks with less control. Ask your direct care staff for examples of professional situations that were unsafe. Office-based leaders, you might be surprised. Examine your workplace violence policies, procedures, trainings, incident reporting, and follow-up.

Three tried-and-true strategies AHCA Gold Quality Award winners use to land and keep staff McKnights Long-Term Care News, Las Vegas, NV; by Kimberly Marselas; 10/22/25 Leaders of three of the nation’s best-performing nursing homes shared ... outside-the-box recruitment and retention strategies that have made robust staffing the linchpin of their respective quality-improvement journeys. ... Here, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News shares a few of the role model practices Peters and her two 2025 Gold National Quality Award peers rely on to create staff loyalty, even in highly competitive markets.

Stories from an accidental Hospice Nurse by Shawn Brast, MSN, RN, CHPN ehospice; by Shawn Brast, Clinical Education Manager at Gilchrist Hospice in Baltimore; 10/9/25 ...  The strangest thing happened: after 30+ years in healthcare, I found my calling as a hospice nurse. Routinely, I am granted special access to some of the most intimate moments in patients’ and families’ lives. With my short experience as a hospice nurse, I have come across some awe-inspiring moments that have provided life lessons that must be shared for the greater good. ... [Shawn describes several hospice stories with his insights.] These types of “Aha!” moments continued since these three experiences, but it was these three experiences that set my direction to answer my calling. In doing so, I am becoming a better person, clinician, educator, researcher, student, husband and father.

CFO tenures at the 10 largest health systems Becker's Hospital Review; by Andrew Cass; 10/9/25 Healthcare CFOs’ tenures last an average of 4.7 years, according to a September report from Crist Kolder Associates. Here are the tenures of the CFOs at the 10 largest health systems in the U.S. (Health system size is determined by the number of hospitals, based on organizational data as of December.)

Gerontological nursing essentials for BSN students: Meeting aging population needs Nevada State | RN to BSN; 10/9/25 An aging population is transforming healthcare delivery, and nurses are increasingly called to address the complex needs of older adults. For students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), learning the essentials of gerontological nursing provides the foundation to deliver compassionate, effective care. This specialty emphasizes not only clinical expertise but also communication, cultural competence, and advocacy for patient dignity. Explore what defines this field, the role of an adult gerontology nurse practitioner, and the pathways available to see how they can shape the future of elder care. Editor's Note: How is your organization supporting career growth for all staff members? While this article focuses on the RN-to-BSN pathway with a gerontological nursing emphasis, consider expanding professional development opportunities across your entire workforce—clinical and non-clinical alike. For example: