Lifelong Learning in Hospice: Beyond CE Credits and Into Growth

A friend of mine recently celebrated her 70th birthday. In our conversation, she shared something that surprised and inspired me: about 20 years ago, she went back to school for over a decade. She earned a second bachelor’s degree, a master’s in gender studies, and even a law degree.

Now, at 70, she says she would love to go back again – this time to study philosophy. She wonders if she has the energy for it, but she’s certain about one thing: continuing to learn is essential at any age.

Her words stayed with me. In hospice care we also live in a world where learning never ends. For professionals in this field, continuing education (CE) credits are a regular requirement. At times, it can feel like just another box to check. But if we shift our perspective, CE credits become something much more: an opportunity to grow in our role, deepen our understanding, and improve the care we provide.

Learning in hospice is not just about compliance – it’s about growth. Each new insight, whether from a CE course, a workshop, or a conversation with a mentor, equips us to serve patients and families with greater compassion and skill.

Just as my friend sees philosophy as a way to expand her mind at 70, hospice professionals can see CE credits as stepping stones to personal and professional growth. They remind us that education is never finished, and that curiosity and learning make us stronger in every stage of life and every stage of our careers.

So the question I took away from her story – and the question that I pose to you – is this: what’s one area of learning that excites you, not just for compliance, but for your own growth?

Because in hospice, just like in life, learning has no age limit.