Paper 2 Compassion Fatigue

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Running Head: DEALING WITH COMPASSION FATIGUE 1

Dealing with Compassion Fatigue

Daniel M. Meyers

Brigham Young University-Idaho


DEALING WITH COMPASSION FATIGUE 2

Dealing with Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue is a very prevalent issue in today’s healthcare system. The job of a

nurse, doctor, or any medical professional can be a very difficult and taxing occupation. They are

constantly exposed to traumatic events, and experiences that test their sanity, and will to continue

in the field of medicine. As this essay progresses, three areas of compassion fatigue should

become evident. What compassion fatigue is, how it can be seen in clinicians, and strategies that

can be used to deal with it if it is seen in one’ self or coworkers.

What is Compassion Fatigue

Compassion fatigue is defined as losing the satisfaction that typically comes from doing

one’s job well, or job distress that outweighs your occupational satisfaction (Shepard, 2016).

Compassion fatigue is very similar to another work stress phenomenon known as burnout. They

both manifest in a very similar way, physically, and emotionally. As a healthcare professional it

is important to be able to recognize compassion fatigue so that it can be dealt with appropriately.

How it Manifests

Physical manifestations of compassion fatigue include headaches, digestive upset, muscle

tension, fatigue, and in a few cases, chest pain and heart palpitations have also been noted.

Emotional manifestations include mood swings, avoidance of working with certain patients,

frequently calling in sick, irritability, reduced memory, decreased concentration, and a lessened

ability to show empathy (Yoost, 2016). As one can see, compassion fatigue can greatly cripple

even the best medical professional, and thus needs to be dealt with promptly and appropriately.

Strategies to Combat Compassion Fatigue


DEALING WITH COMPASSION FATIGUE 3

One of the best ways to treat this hardship is to prevent it via the following ten ways. Get

educated on the common signs, practice self-care, set emotional boundaries, engage in outside

hobbies, keep a journal to process and release emotions, boost your resiliency, use positive

coping strategies, identify workplace strategies, and seek personal therapy if the previous

methods do not work (Good Therapy, 2016). While the best method to treat compassion fatigue

is through prevention, medical personnel do not always have the luxury of being able to avoid it.

If one finds themselves struggling with compassion fatigue it is important to realize that they are

not alone, and this is not abnormal. To then resolve the issue and be able to effectively care for

others a nurse needs to make sure that they take time to care for themselves before they attempt

to care for others. Other ways that can help relieve compassion fatigue are exercise, balanced

nutrition, and mindfulness therapy (Yoost, 2016).

Conclusion

Every nurse, and member of a medical staff is susceptible to compassion fatigue. This is

why it is so vital to know what it is, how it is manifested, and strategies that will help one deal

with this struggle. As nurses and other medical staff have an understanding of these three areas

they will be tremendously effective at treating compassion fatigue in themselves and others.
DEALING WITH COMPASSION FATIGUE 4

References

Good Therapy. (2016). The cost of Caring: 10 ways to prevent Compassion Fatigue. Retrieved

from https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/the-cost-of-caring-10-ways-to-prevent-

compassion-fatigue-0209167

Shepard, K. (2016). Compassion fatigue: Are you at risk. Retrieved from

https://www.americannursetoday.com/compassion-fatigue/

Yoost, B.L., Crawford, L.R. (2016). Fundamentals of nursing. Retrieved from

https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323295574/cfi/6/106!/4/2/4/4@0:0

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