Hospice Nurse Cherishes Patients in Eastern New Mexico

Sunni Osborn balances administrative duties with hands-on care as a hospice nurse in rural communities.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Sunni Osborn has been an administrator at Helping Hands Hospice in Tucumcari, New Mexico since May 2026. But in addition to her administrative role, Osborn also serves as a nurse, often driving long distances to assist hospice patients and their families across a seven-county area. Osborn's passion is providing compassionate, hands-on care to her patients during their final days.

Why it matters

Hospice care is a critical service, especially in rural areas where access to healthcare can be limited. Osborn's dedication to caring for her patients and supporting their families highlights the important role hospice nurses play in providing comfort and dignity during end-of-life transitions.

The details

As a hospice nurse, Osborn visits patients in their homes, helps admit them to hospice, and remains with the families until the patient's passing. She teaches families how to care for their loved ones, and ensures all of the patient's needs - whether nursing, spiritual, or personal care - are met. Osborn's goal is to 'love on these families like they were my own' during this difficult time.

  • Osborn has been an administrator at Helping Hands Hospice since May 2026.

The players

Sunni Osborn

An administrator and nurse at Helping Hands Hospice in Tucumcari, New Mexico who provides compassionate, hands-on care to hospice patients across a seven-county area.

Brian Osborn

Sunni Osborn's husband, with whom she manages a cattle ranch near House, New Mexico.

Linda Sims

A nurse practitioner in Tucumcari who has inspired Sunni Osborn in her nursing career.

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What they’re saying

“If you truly love nursing, and I do, and I always say: If you cannot nurse for free, you have no business being a nurse.”

— Sunni Osborn, Hospice Nurse (The Eastern New Mexico News)

What’s next

Osborn's son is a senior in high school this year and is preparing to compete in the Texas state finals for high school rodeo.

The takeaway

Sunni Osborn's dedication to providing compassionate, hands-on hospice care to patients in rural eastern New Mexico, even as she balances administrative duties, exemplifies the vital role hospice nurses play in supporting families during end-of-life transitions.