Here are some tips to avoid compassion fatigue. Please, all, add to them. I know you know how to take care of yourself.
Focus on the positives of helping peiple
Focus on the human side of work
Do not feel resposnible for solving every problem. Do not take on additional problems
Give yourself permission to have private time
Use humor to emphasize your limits to others
Get humble about what you can and cannot do

Great ideas there nanacarolynn. I forgot the big one. Learn to say no!

Nanacarolyn, I love your response. That's how I live. I never let anyone else lay their demands or expectations on me. I decide what I can and cannot do, and after I've assessed the situation or request, I give my honest answer, and I expect it to be respected and accepted, nomatter what it is. But I've seen nurses run themselves into the ground for fear of saying NO. You're right; the words, "should and ought" need to be eliminated. They are from judgements. Each of us needs to know our strenths and limitations well enough to respect them in ourselves. That means when we really cannot go on anymore without harm or damage to ourselves, or our families and potentially to our patients, we need to have not only the humiliyt to say no, but the courage as well. If we can't even show this much respect for ourselves, nobody else will.

these are all wonderful suggestions. I especially like nanacarolyn's. And yes a sense of humor can work wonders for you and the patients. Don't ever loose your sense of humor!