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Your Guide to Becoming A Medical Assistant (CNA)

Episode #6: John Mastrojohn on Hospice and Palliative Care

Hospice: it’s not just a place to die. In today’s episode, we sit down with John Mastrojohn, chief operating officer for the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) to discuss his personal nursing journey and explore hospice and palliative care as a career option.

John holds two master’s degrees — one in nursing administration and one in business administration, which makes him uniquely qualified to understand the challenges of leading this large organization without losing sight of the nursing principles of compassionate, holistic, patient-centered care that nursing is built on.

Early in his career, John worked with HIV and AIDS patients, which eventually led him to hospice care. He was astounded by the care provided for the terminally ill. This philosophy of care really resonated with him, and led him to where he is today.

In Today’s Episode

  • John’s healthcare journey from orderly to RN to master’s degree.
  • How he discovered hospice care and never looked back.
  • An in-depth look at what hospice really is, and how it’s not just a place to die.
  • The difference between palliative care and hospice.
  • Why you should consider a career in hospice.

Featured on Today’s Episode

More About The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization was formed in 1978 as the National Hospice Organization and underwent in a name change in 2000 to include Palliative Care. This organization is committed to improving end-of-life care and expanding services to hospice care with the goal of profoundly enhancing quality of life for the terminally ill and their families.

Headquartered in Virginia, NHPCO develops public and professional education programs and materials to enhance understanding and availability of hospice and palliative care, and engages in research, reporting, regulatory monitoring, and collaboration with other organizations that share an interest in end of life care.

NHPCO’s consumer site, CaringInfo.org provides consumer education and information on hospice care delivery, values, legal issues, and more. This site also offers sections for Caregivers, Advance Care Planning, Choosing a Hospice Organization, Grief and Loss, and includes links to many other valuable resources.

Featured Organization of the Week

4YourCNA

Nursing assistants are in demand…and the need will continue to grow as baby boomers continue to age. Nursing assistants, personal care aides, and home health aides are all in the top 20 highest-growth industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This industry is expected to need an additional 777,000 direct care workers in the next 8 years! With unprecedented growth, stable job environments and higher than average wages…the future looks bright.

But to get many of these positions, state certification as a CNA is required. Passing the test is the first step into the medical career – and while school is very good at teaching you general principles, they often fall flat at preparing you to pass the exam. And all those hours are wasted if you can’t pass the test! That’s where our featured organization of the week — 4YourCNA — comes in.

Designed by Nursing Assistant Podcast host Patricia Laramee, 4YourCNA has resources that take the mystery out of the CNA test. The online CNA Test Prep program covers all the material that will be on the test — exactly like it will be on the test — giving you a behind-the-scenes view into what you need to know and do to pass the test and get the job. Visit 4YourCNA.com to learn more.

Connect with 4YourCNA: Website | Facebook | YouTube

Contact the 4YourCNA Team

  • Phone: (352) 688-0412
  • Email: 4YourCNA@gmail.com

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