Why Nurses Are Choosing Alive: Heather’s Story

Published on May 13, 2025

When Heather Lindley first entered the world of nursing nearly a decade ago, she had no idea that end-of-life care would be her calling. Heather’s connection to Alive began when she was still in nursing school and her grandmother became a patient at Alive’s in-patient center. She witnessed firsthand the compassionate, peaceful, and comfort-focused care that her grandmother received and knew that she had found her calling. She explains that while in a hospital, you see a lot of people at the end of their lives, but it’s often in sterile, impersonal settings. “It was calm, and my grandmother was comfortable until the very end. It was just really nice to come to [Alive] and be a part of something different.”

During her time as a Nurse Liaison, she served as an advocate for patients’ transitions from hospital to hospice, and also as a de-facto educator for fellow nurses looking for their own transitions. “A lot of people are scared to work in hospice because they think it’s all sadness,” she says and explains that hospice care is often filled with beautiful, joyful moments. Despite the coming loss, patients and families are often relieved by the end of invasive treatments and grateful to be in the comfort of their own home. She explains that many healthcare workers aren’t fully comfortable or knowledgeable with end-of-life care. “It’s something that’s rarely discussed in nursing school or medical training. That’s why I’m so passionate about breaking down those barriers.”

For those interested in hospice work, Heather emphasizes that the ideal candidate is not only compassionate and empathetic, but adaptable and a problem-solver. “Hospice nursing requires a lot of thinking outside the box. Every patient’s needs are different, and so are the family dynamics,” she explains, “Being flexible is crucial, as is creativity.” She shared that sometimes it’s small things, like figuring out safe ways to take a patient outside or letting them enjoy their favorite food, that make the biggest difference.

Recently promoted to her new role as Infection Prevention and Quality Specialist, Heather continues to provide education and support to new hires, employees, and volunteers on creating safe environments for patients, their families, and their advocates to create meaningful memories in their final days together.

“It’s incredible to work in an environment where the goal is to honor the patient’s wishes, help them feel comfortable, and provide a space where families can bond.”

Written By: Stasha Robles, Alive Volunteer