Hospice nurse reveals the biggest regret people have before passing. It's an invaluable lesson.

Many people live their lives trapped in self-created public personas, often regretting unfulfilled dreams as their time runs out. Julie McFadden, a veteran hospice nurse from California, has cared for over 100 patients in their final days and has seen these regrets firsthand. Recently, McFadden—known as @hospicenursejulie on social media—appeared on Rob Moore's "Disruptors" podcast to discuss the profound moments she has witnessed before someone passes away. Her goal was to demystify death and inspire others to cherish their lives while they still have the chance.

The conversation began with the host asking McFadden about her experiences with people in their final moments. The hospice nurse, who also has a standout presence on social media, revealed that the final moments she witnessed were nowhere near how they had been portrayed in movies over the years. While many passed away silently, some chose to pour their hearts out during this crucial stage of their lives. Before revealing the regrets often shared by these individuals, she noted that it was not something any of us might expect. “The main thing people say, that I don’t hear a lot of people mention, is, ‘I wish I would have appreciated my health,’” McFadden revealed during the one-hour-long talk show hosted on Apple Podcasts.

Notably, this was not the first time the hospice nurse opened up about the sensitive topic. She has been actively uploading videos on similar topics on her YouTube channel titled "Hospice Nurse Julie." Moreover, the New York Times best-selling writer had, in the past, asked people not to fear death while sharing insights into the dying process. McFadden mentioned that one recurring theme was people wishing they had spent more time appreciating the small things. “I liked the fact that I could breathe, that I was walking around, that I could feel the sunshine — little things like that,” the hospice nurse told Moore. She went on to detail her own nightly habit of composing a gratitude list as a reminder to keep herself grounded. The caregiver also highlighted both the physical signs of death and the emotional struggles people face as their time nears, aiming to increase awareness around the often-taboo subject.

“I think because of my job, it’s easier for me to see how once-in-a-lifetime this is,” McFadden added, sharing her unique perspective on life and death. Before working in hospice, she worked in hospital intensive care units. “The fact that everything works together in our bodies to make us live and grow… and I see that in death too. I see how our bodies are biologically built to die,” she acknowledged. McFadden considered herself fortunate to be an integral part of her patients’ life journeys. “I’m honored when someone allows me to witness their final breath. People often wish they hadn’t postponed living until retirement,” the experienced hospice nurse elaborated, further asserting that true strength is not about “bottling everything up.” The Californian caregiver concluded by raising her concerns about the expensive hospice care in the country. “Generally speaking, it helps to have money to die well, which I think is really unfortunate,” she remarked.