A former ICU nurse’s journey from trauma to triumph reveals a new perspective on end-of-life care, challenging common taboos and offering a more realistic view of death.
As we navigate the complexities of life, death remains an inevitable yet universally taboo topic. However, for hospice nurse and New York Times best-selling author Julie McFadden, death is not something to fear or shy away from.
The Turning Point
After eight years working in the ICU, McFadden developed a deep passion for understanding and addressing the end-of-life journey. She realized that the relentless pursuit of keeping patients alive often caused more suffering for both the patients and their families. ‘I just felt like we weren’t talking about the elephant in the room, which was that death was going to happen no matter what we did,’ McFadden says.
The Power of Honest Conversations
McFadden‘s experiences in the ICU sparked a deep sense of questioning – was there a better way to approach end-of-life care? Her journey led her into hospice nursing, where she now stands alongside patients in their final moments, offering comfort in a deeply intimate way. ‘Empathy is at the heart of healthcare, but for hospice nurses like me, it takes on a uniquely personal role,’ McFadden explains.
Hospice nursing is a specialized care approach that focuses on providing comfort, dignity, and quality of life to patients with terminal illnesses.
Trained hospice nurses work with interdisciplinary teams to create personalized care plans, addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
They also provide education and support for patients' families.
According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), 1.4 million Americans received hospice care in 2020, accounting for nearly 50% of all deaths in the US.
Breaking Down Taboos
McFadden‘s online platform has garnered 1.7 million followers on TikTok and almost half a million on Instagram. She shares her transformative experiences as a hospice worker to educate and comfort others. ‘I want to change the way we look at death and dying. I want to decrease fear around death and dying through education, and I think we just need to make it less taboo,’ she says.
A More Realistic View of Death
McFadden challenges the common association of death with pain. She notes that diseases can cause pain, but the actual process of dying is not painful. ‘I’ve had plenty of people on hospice who didn’t have any medication and died very peacefully,’ McFadden adds.
Death is a natural part of life, occurring when the body's vital functions cease to operate.
It can be caused by various factors such as aging, disease, injury, or infection.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 56 million deaths occur annually worldwide.
The most common causes of death globally are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and respiratory infections.
Understanding death and its impact on society is crucial for developing strategies to improve healthcare, reduce mortality rates, and support those affected by loss.
Embracing the Natural Process
Our bodies have built-in mechanisms to guide us through the end-of-life process. For example, increased calcium levels can cause a person to sleep more, and a decrease in hunger and thirst signals can help reduce suffering. ‘Your body goes into ketosis, which releases endorphins, gives you a euphoric feeling, numbs nerves and pain receptors,’ McFadden explains.
Lessons Learned
Through her work in hospice care, McFadden has gained invaluable lessons that extend beyond her role as a nurse. She emphasizes the importance of facing death with openness and understanding. ‘The number one thing I hear from people is they regret not appreciating when they were healthy,’ McFadden says.
Hospice care is a type of medical care that focuses on providing comfort and relief to individuals with terminal illnesses.
It's typically offered when curative treatments are no longer effective, and the patient's primary goal shifts from treating the illness to managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
Hospice care teams often include doctors, nurses, social workers, and volunteers who work together to address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, over 1.4 million people in the US received hospice care in 2020, with a majority of them receiving care at home.
Inspiring Others to Embrace Reality
McFadden‘s mission extends to inspiring others to embrace the reality of the end-of-life journey without fear. Her personal journey has shaped her into a compassionate and empathetic advocate for change. Through her books, including the New York Times bestseller Nothing to Fear, McFadden aims to demystify the end-of-life journey, offering emotional insight and practical advice for both patients and caregivers.
Preparing for the End
McFadden‘s upcoming book, The Nothing to Fear Journal, features questions and reflections to help individuals prepare for the end of life. Her work is a testament to the power of honest conversations and education in redefining our relationship with death.
