Melissa K Urban, NP

I’m often asked, “Isn’t working in palliative and hospice care sad?” It certainly can be. It is also endlessly joyful, enlightening, and meaningful. What I’ve found is that caring for people at the end of life is just like caring for them at any other time in life — there are just as many light and humorous moments as there are difficult ones.

I try to approach every patient interaction with open ears and an open mind. I strive to meet my patients where they are and to offer realistic and compassionate solutions and choices around their health. One thing I try to do is educate patients — on their conditions, their prognosis, and care and treatments. And in these conversations, I learn something new from my patients each and every day.

Doing the work that I do has allowed me to make so many genuine connections and has brought so much empathy and gratitude to my life. Working in this field is a great privilege and a daily reminder of how vital it is to seek joy and connection with others.