Maui Corner- Get to know our Maui team

How long have your worked at Islands Hospice 
Since May 2016

What do you do at Islands Hospice?
I am the weekend triage nurse. Mon/Tues PRN nurse. I am responsible for taking care of our Hospice families, triaging over the weekends/after-hours. When calls come in, I better be ready to put my roller skates on.

Describe a typical workday 
There are no typical workdays in my honest opinion, especially on the weekends. It greatly depends on the census and acuity of our patients and families. There are few laid back weekends with several to no calls, then there are the weekends that are non-stop phone calls, visits, emergencies. Boom, boom, boom! No two days are ever the same

Have you held any other positions here?
When I started my journey with Islands Hospice, I was originally hired as a PRN RN.

What is your favorite part about working at Islands Hospice? 
Gosh there are so many! My favorite part about working at Islands Hospice is being able to be a part of this grand scheme called End-of-Life. Death can be such a beautiful thing and the gift of being present with these families is so rewarding. I also appreciate the diversity, flexibility, and autonomy. I encounter so many families from all walks of life and they all have a story to tell, memories to share, tears that fall and hands to hold. There’s always something, even if it is small and insignificant that happens in each day. It's apparently enough to stay inspired.

Do you have any special memories/stories from your time working here?
I have more than a handful of special memories. I can't just choose one. I'll just say, that there are many families that have impacted my life and have helped me realize that I am exactly where I need to be in this moment in time.

Where did you grow up? What is your background?
Born and raised in Pukalani, Maui. I grew up in the same family home for all of my life. Went to Pukalani Elementary, then Kalama, then Maui High. Dropped out of high school as a "repeat sophomore". Had a few babies by then, decided to get my GED 1997. Life and more babies happened. Decided to try the "school" thing again after my last child was born. Did nursing school and passed. It was unbelievably tough but totally worth it. My parents are still around doing well, I still have all of my siblings. I am grateful.

Is there anything about your background that inspired you to work at Islands Hospice/in hospice care? 
I had a friend that kept telling me to apply. I wasn't ready for that, let alone ready to begin my RN career at the EOL stage. It was scary, I was not mentally prepared for it, and I didn't "choose" to do it, but I am here now.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to sleep when I can and do absolutely nothing. I help take care of my Grand-daughter Kimi when I have time off during the weekdays. I love being at the ocean and getting sunburnt, but that hasn't happened in a while.

Is there anything else you want to share with your fellow colleagues? 
Big shout out to my fellow hospice colleagues! Each one of you has played a significant role and is part of who I am as a hospice nurse and person. I've taken bits and pieces of each of you and tucked them away in my files, so thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge.