Hospice experience inspires woman to become a hospice nurse

Kimberly Rodrique cares from experience.

Rodrique’s son, Noah, was born with a condition called rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctate, a rare condition that impairs normal development for many parts of the body.

Noah, who was otherwise happy, hated being in the hospital. It changed him, Rodrique says. When Noah was 15 years old, he took a turn for the worse and a hospice nurse came in.

Her son’s hospice nurse inspired Rodrique to specialize as a hospice nurse. She now works with Barnes-Jewish Healthcare in O’Fallon, Mo.

“I’m super blessed to be in a field that I feel I can use all my best qualities, I can use all my worst experiences in life and then I can go and I actually get to make a difference every day,” Roderique says to local NBC affiliate KSDK. “Even in the hardest times when we’re with a family and we’re saying good bye to their loved one and they’re saying good bye to their loved one, even that is a privilege.”

Delbert Parish, whose mother-in-law is one of Rodrique’s patients, says her care from a place of experience and empathy. “She’s special,” he says.

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.