The challenges faced in my first year as a new oncology nurse included learning the beauty of small victories and understanding loss. Family and friends often mention how sad and hard this profession is. It is hard to explain how much I love this job to those who view it as somewhat depressing. The...

The rise in noncommunicable diseases and initiation of cancer treatment in Bhutan, combined with a global recognition of the need for palliative care, led the country’s Ministry of Health to identify the need for palliative care. A team of nurses at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital...

The old adage "meeting of the minds" is always an exciting and motivating experience. I only wish that every healthcare provider could share this type of encounter in his or her professional career. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to meet Renee almost 20 years ago when we were both assigned to...

Not until I had experienced my own mother's illness and death did I appreciate the complexity of end-of-life decision making. As an oncology nurse practitioner, I had been trained in advance directives. I understood the importance and why they were needed. However, my own family's experience taught...