13 Mar How to Combat Nurse Compassion Fatigue– Expert Advice
Nursing can often feel like being in a warzone, right? Nurses often face a lot of distress in their workplace from caring for patients in dire situations– from a parent losing their baby in the NICU, comforting those facing termination of pregnancy in the gynaecology ward to patients facing lung cancer diagnoses in the oncology ward and cardiac patients recovering from their first stroke. Nursing is hard emotionally and physically, and after a while, it may start to take it’s toll. Thus, this article discusses how to combat a phenomenon called nurse compassion fatigue.
What’s compassion fatigue?
First, let’s define compassion. According to the Oxford Dictionary, compassion is defined as “a strong feeling of sympathy for people or animals who are suffering and a desire to help them.” It comes from the ecclesiastical Latin prefix, compassio, meaning to “suffer with”. Nurses who work in clinical settings like hospitals or clinics have the most direct contact with patients and continuous exposure to patient pain, grief, and suffering, which puts nurses at high risk of developing the condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms include burnout, headaches, insomnia, poor self-esteem, depression, tardiness at work, avoidance of work, and frequent sick leave and secondary traumatic stress. It develops as a result of absorbing patients’ pain and suffering that patients and their families face from illness and trauma. The condition often leads to high turnover rates of nurses, decreased concentration and productivity, and even increased medication errors which ultimately affect patient satisfaction and safety. Sound familiar?
It can happen to any nurse, as giving almost all your empathy to patients– to anyone who puts others’ needs before their own. Studies suggest that a significant percentage of nurses experience compassion fatigue, with estimates ranging from 30% to 60%. A paper by the Journal of Nursing Management conducted a meta-analysis including 21 studies found compassion fatigue is widespread among clinical nurses, with a prevalence of up to 52.55%
Contributors
Factors contributing to compassion fatigue include compassion stress, understaffing, lack of support, lack of funding, high-intensity workload, job discontentment, and overload can lead to compassion fatigue.
One nurse on Reddit described compassion fatigue as feeling like “not caring about the suffering of another because you just can’t handle processing any more suffering. The end result is burnout when you become annoyed by the suffering of others. Patient suffering barely registered for me. I used to stand in the department and I would get so tense and just daydream about screaming. The anger would start as soon as I pulled off the highway exit for my hospital. I gained a shocking amount of weight. I started saying “whatever” if anyone gave me feedback or my manager or educator spoke to me. The apathy in a previously engaged employee dripped off me.”
If this sounds like you, read on for strategies to mitigate nurse compassion fatigue.
How can you treat compassion fatigue?
These are some coping strategies nurses can use to treat compassion fatigue.
Ask for help
This might be difficult for people who place others’ needs before their own. It is essential to acknowledge the fact that you are struggling before you reach the point of compassion fatigue. Remember: you do not need to feel guilty for burdening others with your problems, people who like and respect you tend to be eager to help. Consider talking it out; find confidant, therapist, or support group for nurses. Sharing your experiences can be a huge weight off your shoulders. You could also connect with your colleagues to share the emotional burden. RNs, try to find a nurse support group. Sometimes friends and family who aren’t nurses don’t–can’t– get it.
Set healthy helping boundaries
Boundaries can be hard to set with patients, especially if you’re overly involved in their case and have an emotional connection. Have the courage to talk to the people you work with and clarify what you can expect from them and what they can expect from you. It is not always easy to say what you want or need, but standing up for yourself is a fundamental right.
This can look like:
- Practising saying “No” more often, to higher workload, colleagues, or plans friends and family want to make.
- Being accepting when someone else tells you “no”
- Respect others’ values, beliefs, opinions, time, and how they want to spend their time.
You should also set boundaries with yourself. A lot of nurses don’t sleep enough, which can lead to a lowered ability to provide the best quality care and empathise with patients. Being well-rested allows you to be more present and empathetic for your patients while avoiding burnout. Plus, remember that it’s important to make time for you: find something fun that you really enjoy doing, like reading dancing (exercise is great for reducing stress), talking to a friend, cooking– whatever floats your boat. Even small acts of self-care like meditation, spending time in nature, or pursuing hobbies can make a big difference.
Lastly, try to request more flexibility in your schedule. Ask if you can work Mondays-Fridays, the day shift, or remotely when doing admin work. Advocate for a work schedule that allows for a healthy work-life balance. This reduces stress and lets you recharge outside of work.
Advocate for change
Just like you advocate for patients, you can advocate for RNs. You can push for positive change!
Start by documenting instances of high workload, staffing shortages, or long shifts that contribute to compassion fatigue. This data can be used to support your case for change.
Push for:
- Schedule Flexibility: Push for scheduling practices that promote work-life balance, such as predictable schedules or options for part-time work.
- Wellness Programs: Encourage the implementation of programs that promote self-care, like a dedicated nurse counsellor or stress management workshops.
- Safe Staffing Ratios: Lobby for mandated nurse-to-patient ratios that ensure nurses have the time and resources to provide quality care without burning out.
Join the conversation by participating in a nurse union to have a stronger voice when advocating for changes to staffing, scheduling, and workplace culture. Attend meetings or participate in committees where staffing models or work policies are discussed. Do your best to advocate for practices that promote nurse well-being.
Key takeaways
You now know how you can combat compassion fatigue on your own and with help from other nurses. Remember: change starts with you. It starts with setting healthy boundaries at work. If you need further advice on how to combat compassion fatigue, get in touch with our friendly team, either by phone or social media. We love helping nurses lead happier, healthier lives.