Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard Recognizes Nurses in Our Care

During National Nurses Month, we recognize our Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard. The Nursing Honor Guard of Ohio’s Hospice honors nurses who are in hospice care with Ohio’s Hospice. 

The Nursing Honor Guard is made up of Ohio’s Hospice nurses who conduct a ceremony at the patient’s bedside. Dressed in traditional and historical uniforms comprised of a blue and red cape, white dress and cap, the Nursing Honor Guard recognizes nurses for their commitment to caring and providing compassion to patients. 

“Though your nursing tasks are complete, they are not forgotten,” the Nursing Honor Guard tells patients during the ceremony. “It is our honor to express our respect for you as a nurse and our gratitude for the care you have given.”  

The Nursing Honor Guard ceremony highlights a nurse’s career and individual achievements. The ceremony also includes the recitation of the Florence Nightingale Pledge, a statement of the ethics and principles of the nursing profession. 

This is a new program at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. The first ceremony was a very meaningful experience for the patient and her family. “Her family was appreciative of the tribute made by our team,” said Debbie Meadows, director of clinical services at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare. “They knew how much their mother’s nursing vocation had meant to her.” 

Since its kickoff during National Nurses Week in 2016, the Nursing Honor Guard has performed almost 200 tributes at the bedside of nurses who are in our care across all Ohio’s Hospice affiliates. Nurses from Ohio’s Hospice volunteer to serve in this program. They travel to wherever the patient calls home to acknowledge a patient’s many years of service as a nurse.

Due to COVID-19, Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare has temporarily postponed the tributes. Our Nursing Honor Guard looks forward to continuing the tributes when it is safe to do so.

Thank you to nurses everywhere for your care and service and to all nurses who make up the Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard!

If the Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard can serve your family, please contact your care manager for more information.

Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, a not-for-profit organization established in 1982, is an affiliate of Ohio’s Hospice that serves communities in Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Medina counties. It embodies the spirit of neighbors caring for neighbors with a commitment to relieve suffering, ease fears, and provide companionship along life’s last journey. Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare addresses patient and family needs wherever the patient calls home. Services also include access to the Stanley C. and Flo K. Gault Inpatient Pavilion, providing short-term patient care to manage acute symptoms, adjust medications, or stabilize patient condition.