Inside the Role of an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

Lori Burckhardt

An essential part of hospice care is conversation. Lori Burckhardt is an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) at Suncoast Hospice Care Center North Pinellas. Many of the care center's patients are living with end–stage diseases and are there for pain and symptoms management. Lori is skilled at providing care and comfort, as well as having those important conversations about the end of life.

She concentrates on breaking down the wall, preparing her patients and their families to face and understand dying. “Our ARNPs or physicians are often times the ice breakers. When you talk to each patient, you look into his or her eyes and you find out what to say. You don’t know where it’s going to go. I always try to put myself in the patient’s shoes and hope that the patient and family are much more centered and accepting,” said Lori, a longtime nurse who spent many years in critical care.

Lori has always enjoyed providing this kind of support to those in her care. “I found I have an ability to care for patients in a way that allows me to make a difference in their lives. I want to make a difference,” Lori said.

Health Assessments and Education

Lori consults with R.N. Diane Esposito at the care center

One day during her rounds at Suncoast Hospice Care Center North Pinellas, Lori stops in the hallway to talk with a son about his mother’s care. She then checks in at the care station to consult with staff and moves on
to follow up with two patients, the first about care decisions and the other about a medication she has prescribed. With her patients, she always gauges their entire well–being, comfort level and needs.

“We do a total health assessment and take in every aspect of a patient. We look at the energy of that patient and the dynamics of that patient’s family situation. Then we look at that patient’s goals and create a plan of care in collaboration with everyone on the care team, including the patient’s own personal doctors and other healthcare staff. You constantly readjust that care plan. Everyone’s input is extremely valuable,” she said.

Lori finds education to be one of the most important and meaningful parts of her job. “Patient and family education is a huge part of what we do. You do a lot of listening. You take them from the clinical side and help them face the emotional aspects of their disease so they may have a peaceful death,” she said.

Do you have a desire to work in hospice care? Check out our job openings.

Award-Winning Volunteer Supports Patients and Families

Judy Gauron

Judy H. Gauron is an extraordinary volunteer who is dedicated to supporting our patients, families and organization. Last week she was honored for her service as the winner of Tampa Bay Business Journal’s 2012 Health Care Heroes volunteer award.

Judy serves in multiple roles including office support, welcome center, community outreach, patient and family support, mentoring new volunteers and pet therapy. She and her dog, Theo, bring lots of comfort and joy visiting patients and families with one of our north Pinellas care teams and Suncoast Hospice Care Center North Pinellas as well as nursing homes.

Judy & Theo

“Pet therapy is a powerful form of palliative care. When patients stroke Theo they reminisce about the happy times with their pets. Family life is always at the forefront for patients at the care center. I feel that during our visits with patients, the difficulties of the present are forgotten as they revisit those cherished moments of the past. Families also are uplifted by our visits. Our conversations flow easily and we form bonds through the love for our dogs,” Judy said.

As a hospice volunteer she seizes every opportunity to enrich lives.   

“The best ways we volunteers can serve our patients and families is to listen, respect, comfort and bring as much happiness to them as the situations allow. Even if we only touch one heart on any particular day, our pledge to make a difference in someone’s life has been fulfilled,” she said.

Has a hospice volunteer made a difference in your life? Share your story below.

Are you interested in volunteering? Come to a volunteer training in Palm Harbor, Clearwater or St. Petersburg.