Morristown Resident Celebrates 25 Years in Nursing

All of us here at Patch want to give a big congratulations to Morristown resident Agnes Clyne, who recently celebrated 25 years as a nurse with Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center, based in West Orange.

The press release is below.

Morristown, NJ -- Twenty-five years ago, Morristown Resident Agnes Clyne, RN, BSN, completed her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Hunter College and answered an ad in a newspaper for a hospice nurse. While she had no formal exposure to hospice nursing, she knew her skills in nursing would serve her well and could ultimately result in bringing dignity to many patients at the end of life.

Since then, Ms. Clyne has continued as a per diem nurse with Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center, which has provided her with flexibility in her lifestyle and raising a family. From her first day she was acutely aware that her colleagues were a unique group of people, dedicated and empathetic to the needs of patients and families facing end-of-life decisions. “The nurses, social workers, volunteers, home health aides, chaplains, administrators and support staff share the common goal of ensuring dignity and that is what makes the organization work so effectively.”

“It is an honor to become part of people’s lives at this sensitive time,” says Ms. Clyne, who has cared for patients from infancy to 100 years plus and treasures the unique connections she makes with patients and family members. “The mother of an infant was so strong and at peace with her beautiful baby,” she recalls, while on the other end of the spectrum she remembers, “The family of a 104-year-old man always had coffee poured for me when I arrived so we could sit and talk about his life.” In the process she has had the unique opportunity to learn the living history of many families.

“I believe in what I am doing,” reflects Ms. Clyne, who, in addition to hospice nursing enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog and reading. She has also been involved with Literacy Volunteers of Morris County, providing tutoring in basic literacy and English as a Second Language to adults who need to improve their literacy skills. “These are connections that just can’t be duplicated.”

About Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center

Established in 1981, Barnabas Health Hospice and Palliative Care Center provides comprehensive physical, emotional and spiritual care and support services to patients with advanced illness throughout ten counties in New Jersey. The program, which serves infants, children, adults and the elderly, honors the unique choices and values of patients and their families while offering full access to the broad array of services provided by the Barnabas Health. For more information, please visit www.barnabashealthhospice.org.