TikTok and hospice? Busting myths and taking chances with social media influencer and author Hospice Nurse Penny

In this episode of the Transcending Home Care podcast, hosted by Tony Kudner, chief strategy officer at Transcend Strategy Group, listeners are introduced to Penny Smith, a hospice nurse who has achieved a large following on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. Penny shares an example of how her creative content, such as dancing to the song “It’s Just Water” while sharing vital information about hospice care, has helped alleviate guilt and educate viewers. She highlights her background, explaining how she became a hospice nurse at age 40 after a diverse career and personal challenges.

Penny discusses the evolving landscape of social media and the unique opportunities it presents for educating the public about serious illness and end-of-life care. She addresses common misperceptions about hospice, including morphine usage, CPR practices, dehydration and more. Penny also talks about her experiences as a social media influencer, including navigating trolls and negative comments and maintaining professional integrity.

Lastly, she introduces her upcoming memoir, “Influencing Death,” which recounts her personal journey and experiences in hospice care. The episode provides valuable insights into leveraging platforms like TikTok for impactful education and community engagement in the healthcare space.