Self-care key to fighting off compassion fatigue
“Compassion fatigue” is the term used to describe a range of symptoms that can arise when caregivers are traumatized as a result of helping others who are in physical or emotional distress.
While a career in nursing can be both rewarding and fulfilling, it also comes with its fair share of stress, particularly for nurses who work with patients suffering from acute chronic diseases, severe injuries or terminal illnesses.
Among the most significant challenges for nurses and other caregivers is to provide personalized care without becoming overinvolved with or overly invested in their patients. However, when nurses work with people who have experienced extreme trauma or are facing their final days, the stress can become exhausting and overwhelming.
“Compassion fatigue” is the term used to describe a range of symptoms that can arise when caregivers are traumatized as a result of helping others who are in physical or emotional distress.
Nurses suffering from compassion fatigue display a range of psychological and physical symptoms, including irritability, anxiety, disrupted sleep, loss of self-esteem, changes in sexual desire and an inability to stop thinking about work.
In some cases, nurses lose empathy for patients, have trouble connecting with them or begin to avoid particular patients. Compassion fatigue can cause nurses to feel guilty about their treatment of patients, become dissatisfied with their jobs and become addicted to alcohol, drugs or food.
Compassion fatigue not only affects nurses’ physical and emotional states, but it can also jeopardize patient safety, cause patients to receive substandard care and have a negative financial impact on medical institutions. Studies have shown compassion fatigue is linked to decreased productivity, higher rates of absenteeism and increased turnover among nurses, all of which are costly and difficult to remedy.
Developing and implementing positive self-care strategies are critical for a person to both preventing and recovering from compassion fatigue.
These strategies fall into three main categories.
Awareness and education: Since compassion fatigue was not formally identified as a special problem for nurses until the early 1990s, some nurses may not have an adequate understanding of its roots, symptoms or management. Supervisors need to ensure nurses are educated about the issue and can recognize the symptoms in themselves and others.
Relaxation and stress management: Nurses need to be encouraged to monitor their self-care and take steps to manage stress both on and off the job. Self-care begins with a commitment to having an adequate diet, staying hydrated, sleeping, and exercising and can be supplemented with stress-reducing activities, such as yoga, meditation, massage or tai chi. Some nursing units have even designated a comfortable space for relaxation, where nurses can close their eyes, meditate, stretch or listen to music or relaxation CDs.
Talking and sharing: Nurses—particularly those who work with critically or terminally ill individuals— need opportunities to talk about their experiences with colleagues and supervisors. Sharing stories and receiving support from coworkers is among the most effective ways for caregivers to relieve the stress associated with their jobs. And the more they can talk, the better. Research has found people involved in traumatic events need to be able to tell their stories a minimum of eight times to counteract the physical and psychological impact of their experience.