Finding Her Calling: A Nurse Apprentice's Journey

When Erin Barrett first heard about the Hawai‘i Care Choices’ Nurse Apprenticeship Program, she was immediately drawn to the opportunity. Having had a deeply meaningful experience with hospice during her grandmother’s final days in Michigan, Erin knew she was called to this line of work. 

“I didn’t enjoy the hospital setting much,” she admits. “What I really wanted was to work with patients in their homes—especially those in the later stages of life. Geriatric nursing and home-based care give you the time to connect. And that’s where real healing happens.” Now part of a pioneering cohort of apprentices funded through a special grant from MedQUEST and Hui Pohala, Erin is undergoing both classroom and field training to become a certified hospice and palliative care nurse. The program equips newly graduated RNs with specialty skills, one-on-one mentorship, and hands-on experience—helping them grow into compassionate, confident caregivers. 

“At first, it felt overwhelming to rotate between different mentors,” she recalls. “But now that I’m practicing on my own, I realize how valuable that was. Every nurse gave me a new lens to see through. I remember one session with Catherine (Chaplain and Social Services Manager): she taught me to simply hold space for patients and their families. If someone is breaking down, it’s not about fixing or touching them—it’s about being fully present and listening with your heart.”  

For Erin, the difference between hospice and palliative care has become clear. “Palliative care is about managing symptoms while honoring what patients value, offering treatment options that improve their quality of life. Hospice is more about pain management and providing comfort at the end of life. Both are about dignity, compassion, and choice.” 

Perhaps the most transformational moment came when she was finally assigned her own patient. “That’s when everything clicked. I loved the ownership. Being invited into a family’s home, becoming part of their world; it’s so different from a hospital setting. They welcome you with open arms. You meet their pets, their kids… you even get to laugh together.” 

Erin’s roots now run deep in Hawai‘i. A mother of two living in Hawaiian Acres, she moved to the Big Island 21 years ago from Montana and hasn’t looked back. “There’s just no place like it,” she says. “And there’s something special about everyone who works at Hawai‘i Care Choices. Everyone here is an educator. They love to teach, whether it’s fellow nurses or patients. It’s a great place to grow.” 

As Erin continues her journey, she sees a future filled with purpose; one where home-based care remains her calling, and where every patient encounter is a chance to honor life, love, and legacy.