ASNA Independent Study Activity - Compassion Fatigue

Alabama Nurse,  Mar-May 2004  by Varner, Joyce M

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Authored by: Joyce M. Varner, RN, MSN, GNP-C, GCNS, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of South Alabama, Mobile, A1. (Author has no vested interest).

Objectives: At the conclusion of this activity the learner should be able to:

1. Describe the phenomenon known as compassion fatigue.

2. State at least five signs common to compassion fatigue.

3.Describe at least four ways to cope with compassion fatigue.

4. State three prevention strategies that can be used to avoid compassion fatigue.

Directions: Read the article carefully. Copy the answer sheet printed at the end of this article (page 31) and fill out all sections completely. Mail to the address provided along with the appropriate fee. Certificates will be mailed upon successful completion of the post-test. You must score at least 80% on the post-test. Should you fail the test you will be notified and provided an opportunity to retake the test. All retakes will require an additional fee.

Contact Hours and Accreditation: This one (1) hour contact hour activity is provided by the Alabama State Nurses Association, which is accredited as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the Alabama Board of Nursing.

Part I: What is compassion fatigue and do I have it?

The term compassion fatigue was coined in 1992 to describe the level of burnout experienced by nurses and physicians who were worn down by caring for patients in post-traumatic stress disorder clinics and emergency rooms. This phenomenon has been known by other names including secondary traumatic stress, secondary victimization, and secondary survivor. Nursing is noted to be among the top 10 most stressful jobs and burnout has been an issue as long as nursing has been a career. Given the fact that nursing is stressful and we already have a global nursing shortage, it is important that we examine the phenomenon known as compassion fatigue and work to prevent it when possible and heal when it occurs in order to keep nurses functional.

The importance of compassion in dealing with extremely difficult or resistant patients are well known; but what does compassion really mean? The dictionary defines compassion as "a feeling of great sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by suffering or misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the pain or remove the cause". This is almost a definition of the nursing profession in general, particularly nurses who work with extremely vulnerable populations such as elders with dementia.

The task of daily caring for patients with this debilitating disease can take a heavy toll on healthcare professionals leading over time to a decline in their ability to care for others.

Compassion fatigue allows nurses to become emotionally drained, suffer from a myriad of stress-related illnesses, and eventually leave their profession if they are not helped to deal with this debilitating situation.

Read the following scenario:

Jill is a hospital floor nurse who works on a med-surg unit in a medium-sized hospital and most of her patients are elderly. Jill has always loved working with older patients, and until lately, she has always felt she would continue her career in nursing until forced to retire. Jill has always been a devoted nurse; now at 38 she is tired, cynical, and lonely. She is angry at her workplace, peers, and the healthcare system for forcing her to care for more and more patients who are sicker and sicker. She is annoyed with her patients' needs and demands and the fact that many of elders' families seem to ignore their loved one's needs. Her relationships with her patients and their families no longer thrive and even talking with her husband, who has always been supportive, has not relieved her feelings of stress and isolation. Jill has compassion fatigue, a deep physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion accompanied by acute emotional pain. If you see shades of yourself in Jill, don't worry. You must first learn to recognize when you are wearing down and then get into the habit of doing something each day that will replenish you. That's not as easy as it sounds, I know. Old habits are oddly comfortable, even when they are bad for us, and real lifestyle changes take time, energy, and desire.

Your first step is learning how to care for yourself as if you were a patient or family member back when you first began your nursing career. Start spending some quiet time alone each day even if you must hide in a closet to do it. Learn to recognize a higher power than yourself (and yes, there is one). First let's review signs of compassion fatigue because to fight an enemy, we must be able to recognize it. Listed are signs of compassion fatigue that I am sure you have noted either in yourself or in your peers.

Part II: Signs of Compassion Fatigue

1. Abusing drugs, alcohol, food, or sex

2. Anger without cause

3. Blaming your spouse, peers, family for all of your problems

4. Chronic lateness

5. Depression

6. Diminished sense of personal accomplishment