Jackie McFadden, a hospice nurse with over 2.5 million followers on social media, uses her platforms to share experiences from her work and insights from the patients she cares for. Specializing in end-of-life care, Nurse Jackie aims to help others understand and accept death, demystifying a topic often avoided in conversation.
In a recent interview on the “Disruptors” podcast with Rob Moore, she described a touching routine she shares with residents each night. Together, they create a gratitude list, cherishing simple things like breathing, walking, and feeling the sun. Nurse Jackie shared that many patients express regret about not appreciating their health more when they had it.
Despite her unique perspective, Jackie acknowledges she, too, sometimes takes life for granted. “My job makes it easier to recognize how miraculous it is that our bodies work as they do to keep us alive,” she explained. However, she also observes how our biology is built to lead us through the process of life to its end.
Nurse Jackie not only shares final words from her patients but also offers guidance on the challenges of accepting death. She wrote a book titled Nothing to Fear, which helps people prepare for the experience of loss. “I believe understanding the dying process is essential, especially before it’s happening to you or a loved one,” she stated.
Before moving into hospice care, Jackie worked in the ICU, another setting where death is common. In her book, she reflects on her many experiences in both settings, explaining how they shaped her belief in an afterlife—a view she developed from witnessing countless end-of-life moments.
The nurse also highlights disparities in end-of-life care, especially in the U.S. “Having money helps people die more comfortably, which is unfortunate,” she admitted. Many families dedicate themselves to caring for dying loved ones, but few are financially or practically prepared to provide such care. Only the wealthiest families can access the best support, which Jackie believes is a distressing reality.
As an expert on end-of-life care, Nurse Jackie also educates others on recognizing the signs of approaching death. In a video posted on her social media, she explained symptoms like shortness of breath and skin color changes, which are often indicators that the end is near.