The Final Act of Living

Reflections of a Longtime Hospice Nurse

By: Barbara Karnes RN

Narrated by: Barbara Karnes RN

As featured in USA Today.

This full-length book with a newly updated preface is where Barbara Karnes RN shares her insights and experiences gathered over decades of working with people during their final act of living. For both professionals and laypeople, this book weaves personal stories with practical care guidelines, including: living with a life-threatening illness, signs of the dying process, the stages of grief, living wills, and other end of life issues.

The Final Act of Living: Reflections of a Long-Time Hospice Nurse is an end of life book; a resource that flows like a novel, yet has the content of a textbook.

Barbara wrote this book following years of being a hospice nurse at the bedside of hundreds of people in the months to moments before death. From the stories and experiences she shares, you will see that death doesn't just happen, there is an unfolding; there is a process to dying.

The Final Act of Living is used as:

*A resource on end of life for palliative care nurses

*A training handbook for hospice nurses and volunteers

*A reference book for anyone working with end of life issues:

*Lay ministers, social workers, counselors, nurses, chaplains

*An easy listen for anyone interested in dying and grief

*A textbook in college and university classes,

*CNA training, social work and LPN/RN classes

Listen today and embark on a transformative journey through personal stories and practical care guidelines. Whether you're a professional in the field or simply interested in end-of-life issues, this book is for you.

Don't miss out: this material may be described as an “end of life book”— however, as the title states, its content and philosophy is all about The Final Act of Living.

©2003 Barbara Karnes Books, Inc. (P)2023 Barbara Karnes Books, Inc.

Honesty, Wisdom

Barbara brings not only her years of hospice experience to the table, but gives a wonderful and healthy guide to natural dying and death.

best hospice book EVER!

my 91 year old husband is dying and I've been reading and listening to everything I can get my hands and ears on but this one REALLY put my fears in the rear view mirror
I am amazed at the difference between the hospital Vs hospice death and promised my husband no more hospital. Thank you so much for your help and honesty 🙏

Hospice nurse for 15+ years review

I have read many hospice books and have my CHPN certification. This book is appropriate for the new to hospice and for the seasoned veterans. The author is an icon in the industry. I mention her “Blue book” to all my clients. This is not a feel-happy joyful book, but a comprehensive book that will give you comfort and understanding as we navigate the last stages of living. Good job! Keep writing! 👍

Enjoy your life or it can slip through your fingers before you know it!

What a wonderful book very thoughtful. As a nurse just starting a career in hospice I found it very enlightening!

Important lessons on dying

The author spoke with knowledge and compassion on the process of dying and how to help others when they are dying. She made me less fearful of death and impressed upon me how individual the process. I am grateful that the author chose to write this book.