A hospice nurse is working with a patient who has a terminal disease. She is trying to help the patient and his family cope with their stress and grief. What quality is extremely important for a successful hospice nurse?

They need to be compassionate, sympathetic, patient, and calm under pressure. In addition, they need to be good listeners. Whether they're listening to the family or the patient, they'll hear pain, tragedy, fear, and uncertainty in their voices and it's the nurses job to help them come to terms with the situation