Hospice of South Georgia registered nurses Melissa Asbell, RN and Lois Brown, RN have received advanced nursing certification from the National Board for the Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses. In order to gain this certification, nurses must demonstrate knowledge and skills in life-limiting conditions, pain management, symptom management, care of patient and family, education and advocacy, interdisciplinary/ collaborative practice and professional issues. They successfully completed the test on June 14th. These nurses can now add the credentials CHPN to the end of their names.

“This is a very difficult exam and few hospice nurses ever achieve this level of certification,” said Hospice of South Georgia Director Susan Bowden, RN. “I am especially proud that Hospice of South Georgia has four certified hospice nurses on staff. That’s more certified nurses than any other hospice in the region.” As Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses (CHPNs), they display commitment to the unique needs of hospice patients and their families.

Asbell and Brown are experienced caregivers who have worked for Hospice of South Georgia for several years. Their motivation to become certified was to learn more about end-of-life patient care to provide their patients the best care possible.