Eight years ago, Denise Green, a resident of Hyattsville, went from being a supervisory nurse to taking on the daunting task of being a hospice nurse caring for terminally ill children. 

What led you to enter this field of work?

Before I became a hospice nurse, I cared for my father-in-law, who suffered from ALS [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis] for 12 years before he passed away. After that I thought I was capable of doing this kind of work.

What’s the hardest part of your job?

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The parents. Dealing with dying children has become relatively easy over time, but the parents who have to face the fact that their child will die soon can be tough. As a parent you feel inept. The whole point of being a parent is being able to care for your children and help fix them if something’s wrong.

What have you learned or gained from your work?

You really feel like you’re helping someone. I enjoy working with kids and their families. And I use my faith as an anchor. Doing this kind of work makes you rethink life. If you’re healthy, that’s something to thank God for. Health is No. 1. It doesn’t matter how much money you have. It’s a lesson for parents too that have everything financially. You can have all the tests, travel the world to see the best doctors, but you cannot stop the inevitable.

What is your escape?

Work can be emotionally draining. The most important piece of advice I can give to anyone in this line of work is to go somewhere peaceful after work. For me, I like to ride in my convertible with the top down. I also like to spend time with family and friends around a campfire and drink wine. Nothing too spectacular.