The tapestry of hospice

Members of the hospice team weave a tapestry of care with patients and families. Relief of suffering--physical, emotional, and spiritual--is the goal of hospice care. Nurses' contribution to that care is central but often seemingly unnoticed. Their contribution to the tapestry constitutes the subtle threads of the background upon which the tapestry evolves. Nurses' work is often viewed simplistically, and the complexity of simple tasks is hidden. Work examples of nurses in hospice are discussed, and the previously unseen yet central parts of nurses' work are highlighted.