The Dying Process

As a seasoned oncology nurse and end-of-life (EOL) doula, the privilege of presence is often mine; sitting vigil, holding space, and allowing for a safe transition for a patient onto their next journey. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of these simple tasks during the EOL journey and highlighted their value. The pandemic also shed light on our opportunities at EOL, especially in the acute care setting, and paved the way for a magnificent transformation in EOL care at our institution. In this chapter, we will explore how the utilization of EOL doulas, and a team dedicated to supporting the dying and their FC supported the FC through the active dying process.