Julie, a hospice nurse from Los Angeles, California, has been using her social media platform to educate people about the subject of death, shedding light on what most people say in their final moments.
As a popular content creator on TikTok, Julie goes by the username @hospicenursejulie, where she shares insights from her work in hospice care, a specialized form of healthcare focused on terminally ill patients and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life.
In an interview with The Sun, Julie emphasized the significance of her role, saying, “The best part about my job is educating patients and families about death and dying as well as supporting them emotionally and physically. Also, helping them to understand what to expect is another part of my job as a hospice nurse.”
Julie has previously gone viral for her descriptions of the things that commonly occur in people’s final moments. She has noted that, typically, there is a noticeable change in skin color, alterations in breathing, fever, and terminal secretions.
Furthermore, Julie shared that as people approach the end of their lives, they often express sentiments such as ‘I love you’ or ‘call out to their mum or dad – who have usually already died’. However, she emphasized that it’s challenging to generalize what happens when a person dies, as each individual’s experience is unique.
During her interview with The Sun, Julie also discussed the ‘actively dying phase,’ a stage that typically lasts around three days. In this phase, symptoms may include changes in consciousness, breathing, mottling, and terminal secretions. She stressed that these symptoms are considered ‘normal,’ and patients do not experience pain or discomfort. Julie explained that, in the end-of-life stage, the body takes care of itself, and it’s often better not to intervene in any way.
Julie’s TikTok page has garnered praise from many individuals who appreciate the difficult and emotionally challenging work she does. One person commented, “Thank you, Julie. I can feel how passionate you are, and I want you to know you are so appreciated!” Another added, “I am deeply thankful for your help. You embody peace and love.” A third person wrote, “You are so accurate! Took care of so many hospice patients! Thank you for explaining to people!” A fourth viewer expressed gratitude, stating, “Bravo for taking on the conversation too many folks avoid!” Someone else shared a personal story, saying, “I’m so thankful finding this account. My granddad came into [the] terminal phase really fast. In just a month he went to incurable. Makes me understand more.”
Julie’s openness and willingness to discuss the realities of death and dying have provided valuable insights and comfort to many, and her compassionate approach to her work has not gone unnoticed by those she has touched through her online presence.