Christina Wilkins, LPN
This week we celebrate National Nurses Week. From their skillful care to words of encouragement to comforting touch, nurses make an incredible difference in the lives of patients and families.
Christina Wilkins, LPN (licensed practical nurse) entered the nursing field as a young woman and recently landed her dream job as a Suncoast Hospice nurse. Christina now works evenings at our Suncoast Hospice Care Center North Pinellas. She feels blessed to comfort and ease patients and families during their journeys and to have grown even more compassionate in life.
Q&A with Christina Wilkins, LPN
- What’s your professional background?
I was born and raised in Clearwater and around 18 years old I started my nursing career. I was first a CNA (certified nursing assistant) and then a phlebotomist, which I did for a while but didn’t really enjoy. So I returned to work as a CNA and went back to school for my LPN (licensed practical nurse). I worked as a LPN in a nursing home and two agencies. It was through an agency that I was connected with Suncoast Hospice. I’ve worked at all three of our Suncoast Hospice care centers. If there was a shift open I’d take it because that’s where I dreamed of being. I got hired a little over a year ago. It’s amazing.
- Why did you go into hospice nursing?
I’ve always been drawn to it. Just like birth can be a beautiful experience, death can be, too. It’s such a blessing to be part of a person’s life and the life of his or her family. You watch people take that first breath at birth and at death you watch them take that last one. Death can be really peaceful. I felt like I won the lottery when I joined Suncoast Hospice. I always knew I wanted to be with this organization because it has such a good reputation.
- What’s it like to do hospice care?
Comfort is the main thing in our work. And dignity and respect. We actually have time to sit and talk with people. You don’t always get that in other healthcare settings. So many families come in to our care center with a lost look in their eyes and our team is so pleased to be able to help them. You’ve got to have a big heart to do hospice. It’s challenging work.
- How does hospice care help patients and families?
Our teams provide such comfort for patients and their families. We don’t just treat patients’ physical symptoms, we treat them holistically. Patients don’t want to be a burden to their families. Some patients experience restlessness usually because they’re struggling emotionally. We try to fulfill every wish they have and help them work through things. We help the families, too. I see so many families who are thankful because they can finally grieve.
When patients arrive at our care center and get their first baths you see so much peace on their faces. Even the simple things like arranging the types of meals they want, talking to them or rubbing their hands, we provide the attention they deserve. Just like when babies are born and people love on them so much, the dying should get that same kind of treatment.
- What are your goals in your care?
My goal is to make sure every one of my patients and families is comfortable. I want them to know what’s going on, feel at ease with what’s happening and accept their loved ones’ journeys. It’s very scary for families. It could be the first passing of a loved one. There are a lot of passings and each one touches us differently. We always have the social workers and chaplains available to help us.
Some patients who’ve passed away didn’t have families; I’ve gone in to speak with them to let them know they’re not alone. I think that’s the most important part of the job, sitting with patients, and why I think we all went into the healthcare field. I wish people would come to us sooner for hospice care.
- What’s your advice for caregivers and families?
My advice is that caregivers get plenty of rest. They should take the breaks they need and take care of themselves so they don’t get so run down. We’re there to help support them. I also want a husband to be a husband or a daughter to be a daughter, to step out of that caregiver role. Caregivers and other family members should just have time to be with their loved ones. If we can take the pressure off and let them have that time together that’s what they’ll remember.
- How has your work impacted your life?
Everyone on our team takes care of each other. We spend 12 hours together and depend on each other emotionally. I’ve never met people with bigger hearts. It makes all the difference when you work with people you enjoy. I’ve learned how to be more compassionate and thoughtful of other people’s feelings. I look forward to going home and spending time with my family. My life is good. There’s so much going on in the world and I appreciate what I have.
Want to join our mission? Check out our open job positions or come out to our next career fair May 6 in Clearwater.