{"id":8203,"date":"2024-05-15T21:55:53","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T21:55:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=8203"},"modified":"2024-05-15T21:55:53","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T21:55:53","slug":"4-ways-to-cope-with-compassion-fatigue-as-a-nurse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/wellness\/4-ways-to-cope-with-compassion-fatigue-as-a-nurse\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Ways to Cope with Compassion Fatigue as a Nurse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like many nurses, I was drawn to this profession by an internal passion to help others and make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives. Helping and supporting people in their most vulnerable time is a unique role that, without awareness, may come at the cost of your own mental health and well-being in the form of compassion fatigue, secondary stress and burnout.<\/span><\/p>\n

An article published in <\/span>Health and Social Care in the Community <\/span><\/i>found that up to <\/span>49% of nurses are affected by compassion fatigue<\/span><\/a>. With such a high prevalence in nursing, it\u2019s vital to be aware of the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and incorporate a self-care routine to reduce the risk.<\/span><\/p>\n

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so put yourself in the spotlight and prioritize your own care\u2014it\u2019s impossible to provide adequate care for your patients if you\u2019re not looking after yourself. Let\u2019s delve into compassion fatigue to understand its causes and symptoms and explore coping strategies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding Compassion Fatigue<\/b><\/h3>\n

Compassion fatigue, sometimes called secondary stress, is often mistaken for burnout. However, burnout is cumulative fatigue and dissatisfaction, while compassion fatigue is the emotional, physical and psychological impact of helping others. Burnout stems from <\/span>work-related issues<\/span><\/a> like coworker disagreements, excessive working hours or unsafe staffing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Working closely with patients and families while they navigate tragedy, illness and death causes nurses emotional strain and may trigger compassion fatigue. Unlike burnout, which develops gradually, compassion fatigue can strike suddenly.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing<\/span><\/i> explains that compassion fatigue is a progressive state of emotional unease that evolves from compassion discomfort to compassion stress to compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue occurs when nurses give more energy than they can get back. In simpler terms, compassion fatigue occurs when you\u2019re running on empty\u2014you give, and you give, and you give, and you forget to refill your cup.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identifying Signs of Compassion Fatigue in Nursing<\/b><\/h3>\n

\"Compassion<\/p>\n

Understanding what’s wrong can be challenging. There are moments when work seems fine, and interactions with patients and colleagues appear normal. Yet, suddenly, you find yourself endlessly scrolling your phone, crying alone in your car or feeling irrationally angry at loved ones without pinpointing the cause of these emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recognizing the <\/span>signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue<\/span><\/a> in yourself, colleagues and loved ones is crucial to address symptoms before they worsen. It’s imperative to be vigilant for these signs in yourself and others, as supporting one another is essential in healthcare. Signs and symptoms to look for include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

Physical Signs:<\/b><\/p>\n