Gabriel Worthy, RN
Valir Hospice Nurse loves hiking and music festivals
story and photo by James Coburn, Staff Writer
Gabriel Worthy recalls her budding desire to become a nurse.
“My dad was in the medical field and my grandfather was on hospice. So, I watched his dying process when I was about 16,” said Worthy, RN, Valir Hospice, located in Oklahoma City.
She was intrigued and grateful for the nursing care provided to her grandfather.
“It made me want to ensure I was giving my patients the dignity that they deserve. I think that keeps me going. I get a lot of gratitude by going in and providing comfort to somebody,” she said. (story continues below)
Her experience propelled her to enroll in LPN school at age 18 after graduating from high school in Chickasha.
Worthy worked her way up from being a CNA, CMA, and a restorative aide in a Chickasha nursing home.
She was an LPN for six years. At age 22, she enrolled in nursing school at Southwestern Oklahoma State University. In July, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree when completing her online course. She has been with Valir Hospice for eight years.
“I really love going into my patients’ homes and being there for them, advocating for them, providing the most important care at the most important time of their life,” Worthy said.
She not only provides palliative care but helps families by answering questions about what to expect in the dying process.
“I try to make it a little bit easier for them because probably the most difficult thing they will go through is losing a loved one,” she explained.
Employee longevity adds a consistency to the nursing staff that is extremely important when running a functional hospice, Worthy continued. She appreciates that her supervisors will work with them in the field whenever needed. Patient care is their No. 1 goal.
“Everything else will fall behind that,” she said. “Having those values in our administration flows down to us,” she added. “And it makes it really easy to work for Valir.”
Worthy reassures patients that Valir Hospice is there to help them live each day to the fullest by providing comfort and compassion. Hospice nurses, nurse aides, volunteers, chaplains, and social workers assist in meeting their goals and to fulfill wishes.
“We are there for the patient. I really don’t see anybody here that is just ready for their paycheck. They are doing this job because they love this job,” Worthy said.
Seeing expressions of relief on the patients and their family’s faces reinforces for Worthy that she is helping people. In fact, she will often see families return to Valir Hospice when another loved one’s health is terminal and in need of palliative care. She attends funerals whenever possible. Valir Hospice does not forget.
Once a year, Valir Hospice provides a luncheon for family members. It is a time to reminisce as the nurses and nurse aides all come to the luncheon because families know them as the biggest part of their loved one’s care.
Valuable Wishes is another program Valir provides. One of the participants was a lady who had loved horses since growing up with them. Her valuable wish was to go back to a horse stall. Valir Hospice provided transportation and staff to accompany the patient to be with a horse again.
“She came, she brushed the horses and was able to pet them. It was really a nice way to bring her family together, and create some positive memories for after she passed,” Worthy said.
Another patient was a man whose wish to visit a museum became a reality. Worthy also recalled a lady who liked to shop. So, they created a store for the woman to shop at.
Worthy said hospice nurses also experience sadness and grief when a patient dies.
Being in hospice has made her a stronger nurse, she said. Hospice has made her calmer.
“I don’t react as quickly to stressful situations,” she said.
In her early days as a nurse, she would exhaust herself trying to save everybody, she said. Now she feels more confident knowing she’s with a productive team.
“I feel they have my back if something is to happen,” she said. “I have that support. All around it has made me a better nurse.”
Worthy understands the circle of life. She cherishes each moment with her family and 5-year-old son who keeps her busy on her toes. She loves hiking and music festivals.
To learn more about Valir Hospice or to join the team visit https://valir.com/join-our-team/
