A Perfect Match: Nurse Furthers Education To Work At Ohio’s Hospice

Virginia Gilbert has an unwavering love for hospice. 

Being able to serve patients needing end-of-life care is so meaningful, that after more than two decades as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), Virginia furthered her education and became a registered nurse (RN) just to have a chance to work in one of the inpatient units at Ohio’s Hospice. At the time, we had no openings for an LPN in any inpatient units. She’s now been here for three years. 

“Hospice is just my passion,” Virginia said. “I like the inpatient setting.”  

That dedication is as personal as it is professional. 

Virginia saw how Ohio’s Hospice provides compassionate care from the viewpoint of a family member. Her mother-in-law died at our inpatient unit in Franklin, and her mother died in our care as well. 

Virginia saw the Ohio’s Hospice difference. 

“Staff here is very different from anywhere I’ve ever worked,” she said. “I’ve worked in nursing homes. I’ve worked in schools. I did agency work. The caregivers here, nurses, aides, everybody is just top notch. They care.” 

Virginia saw first-hand – while her loved ones were being cared for – that our mission of providing superior care and superior service wasn’t simply a slogan. 

“It’s not just all talk,” she said. “You saw it in action. I could feel their passion, their compassion, and empathy for my family, how they took care of my family. I see them take care of everybody that way. They were doing what they normally would do for anybody. That’s a good thing to see from the other side. I mean, my family was like, wow. Is this what you do?” 

Working in an inpatient unit also gives Virginia the opportunity to spend more time with patients and really get to know them and their families. 

She remembered one young man who quickly became popular amongst the nurses. 

“He was an ALS patient, young guy. He lived at home with his mom. She was his caregiver, and he would come in for respite care. A lot of times he would decide what we would have for lunch, because whatever he wanted is what we had, and we would DoorDash it. He would give us this little wink.” 

He eventually moved into our inpatient unit full time, where he died. But his impact he had on our staff was evident. 

“A lot of us went to his celebration of life. We got close to his mom, and to his family,” Virginia said. 

That type of connection is meaningful for Virginia, as it reminds her she is allowed to have an emotional stake in what we do. 

“We may cry on the way home,” she said. “I left hospice for a while because I’m like, I didn’t cry anymore. Do I still have a heart? And I cried one day, I’m like, oh, I am still human. That’s good.” 

Virginia’s commitment to compassionate care continues to exemplify the values that make us a world-class organization. Her story demonstrates dedication to servant leadership, kindness, honesty and compassion in supporting patients.