Combating Compassion Fatigue

Compassion Fatigue occurs when Nurses engage in extensive care to the patients, thereby forgetting to take self care seriously. Compassion fatigue hurt the caregivers in a number of ways, resulting to a number of destructive behaviors; hence causing pain and suffering. Nurses are encouraged to notice symptoms of compassion fatigue and take the necessary steps in managing the condition (Chapman, 2007). Different medical facilities have a number of programs that educate nurses on authentic and sustainable caring for oneself, as part of offering medical environment that is supportive. There is a need for balancing work and personal life, in doing away with compassion fatigue as patients goes through life threatening and life altering medical conditions; balanced routine in self care engages the mind, soul and the body (Krischke, 2011).

Symptoms Related to Compassion Fatigue

Nurses face trauma in their line of duty, that results to uncontrollable apathy, isolation and emotions; other symptoms identify with nurses feeling tired even before the workday commences, nurses tend to ignore leisure activities, nurses indulge in compulsive behaviors related to overdrinking, overspending and overeating, nurses endorse blame games as ways of sorting out issues, nurses venture into excessive complaints on assignments, peers and on the job and by the fact that nurses find themselves suffering from chronic ailments like back pains and stomach upsets (Chapman, 2007).

Combating Compassion Fatigue

Nurses are encouraged to take care of themselves as the first step of managing compassion fatigue. Nurses are expected to know their wants and needs, in a way that nurses are able to set clear guidelines on life expectations and addressing basic human needs while at the same time meeting the wants and the needs of the patients (Smith, 2009).

Nurses are expected to know their energy, it is worth noting that nurses are human beings like any other, and that energy propels each and everyday’s activities. If the nurses overdo their work, there are high chances that they become drained or blocked. Nurses in such cases are encouraged to differentiate between life giving activities, and activities that are not life giving; in that nurses are expected to spot activities that make them drained or not; nurses are also expected to identify things that make them have passion, excitement and services to the patients (Krischke, 2011). Nurses stay grounded in their professions through knowing their energy.

Nurses are expected to know their emotions; Nurses in most cases play the game of avoidance considering that they deal with patients from different backgrounds and from different multicultural societies (Chapman, 2007). Nurses are expected to take complete care of their physical bodies, by engaging in healthy lifestyles and paying close attention to changes in the human body. Symptoms are signals of emotional issues to happen, it has been noted that regular exercises and a healthy diet has the capability of addressing compassionate fatigue.

Nurses are encouraged to change their self talk, in ways that they should avoid saying things that are toxic, painful and dangerous to themselves in setting the right attitude in facing compassionate fatigue. Negative self talk has the capability of resulting in compassionate fatigue (Krischke, 2011). Nurses are expected to engage in creative expressions, it has been noted that nurses have different ways of expressing themselves in a diversity of ways, mainly tagged to hobbies; where they imagine, envision, create and produce things or activities that are pegged to their skills in Nursing and in private life.

Nurses are expected to set boundaries, it has been noted that nurses in most times forget to say no to other peers in the workplace and to the supervisors. It is argued that nurses must be ready to address personal life and work life, by setting the right boundaries (Chapman, 2007). Healthy boundaries are set by defining healthy intimacy on oneself and on defining healthy relationships with other people in the workplaces and in the society.

Nurses are expected to engage in sound spiritual practice, it has been noted that spiritual practice means different to different nurses. Some nurses engage in meditation, prayers, visiting the nature, attending mass, doing yoga and attending synagogues is critical in the care process of the nurses. It is argued that even atheists have some things they value and respects as part of the spiritual practice. Spiritual practice ensures that nurses value their life as sacred (Smith, 2009).

Open communication with family members, peers and friends is critical in dealing with compassion fatigue, Nurses should take own physical health seriously and also have enough rest time and sleep (Krischke, 2011). Nurses should eat healthy foods and do away with junk foods. Nurses should understand their limitations in the line of duties, there are medical conditions beyond the care of nurses and in such instances; nurses should value their limitations and do what they can manage.

Nurses should recharge regularly, this is made possible by making lists of things they value and enjoy in life. Some of the activities are walks in the bushes, hot baths, engaging families and taking massage among other activities (Chapman, 2007). Setting flexible schedules is critical in effectively dealing with compassionate fatigue. Nurses stimulate their minds through engaging in scientific research as a way of synthesizing new medical diseases and treatments.

Spiritual, Physical and Emotional Needs

Dealing with patients is never an easy experience, particularly patients from diverse backgrounds and from different cultural societies. Burnouts can be effectively managed through addressing spiritual, physical and emotional needs (Smith, 2009). There are certified compassion fatigue specialists that help nurses deal with compassion fatigue. One of the well known projects identify with the Compassion fatigue Awareness Project.

Nurses in most of the times feel exhausted and inadequate in the workplaces, a model that affects their work output. Another well known project identify with the Self Care Academy that addresses issues of compassionate fatigue in nurses. Nurses are encouraged to broaden their care of the patients to self care in dealing with compassion fatigue and also in addressing burnouts (Krischke, 2011). Setting private time is part of mechanisms in dealing with burnouts; exercises encourage the human body release endorphins, which alternatively enable the human body to have increased energy levels. Nurses are expected to choose different activities that encourage them to relax as part of reconnecting and reigniting the human spirit.

Changing lifestyle is most critical in curbing burnouts, compassion assessment tool is critical in knowing the weaknesses and the strengths that are in each and every nurse; particularly basing on emotional, spiritual, physical, relationship and choice attributes (Smith, 2009). The assessment in return enables the nurses to engage in developing the right plans in managing compassionate fatigue.

Nurses are encouraged to balance life demands in the workplaces and in personal lives as a model of encouraging physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Restoration of resources is critical in making sure that the nurses experience the best out of the workplaces and in personal lives. Supervisors in the medical facilities are encouraged to develop an encouraging work environment in dealing with burnouts (Chapman, 2007).

References

Chapman, E. (2007). Radical loving care: Building the healing hospital in America. Nashville, TN: Vaughn Printing.

Krischke, M. M. (2011). Expert Tips to Combat Compassion Fatigue. Retrieved August 21, 2013, from Nurseconnect.com: https://www.nurseconnect.com/Resources/ArticleProfile.aspx?Id=409690

Smith, P. (2009). To Weep For A Stranger: Compassion Fatigue in Caregiving. New York: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.