According to Wikipedia, Compassion Fatigue is defined as:

Compassion fatigue, also known as a Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a term that refers to a gradual lessening of compassion over time. It is common among victims of trauma and individuals that work directly with victims of trauma. It was first diagnosed in nurses in the 1950s. [1] Sufferers can exhibit several symptoms including hopelessness, a decrease in experiences of pleasure, constant stress and anxiety, and a pervasive negative attitude. This can have detrimental effects on individuals, both professionally and personally, including a decrease in productivity, the inability to focus, and the development of new feelings of incompetency and self doubt.[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compassion_fatigue

As a nurse, are you feeling a sense of compassion fatigue?

 

What coping strategies do you use to help you deal with the daily stressors in the hospital?

What could be done to help you coupe?

We work to help new and seasoned nurses develop coping strategies to deal with the stresses of nursing, to prevent them from burning out and leaving the profession. It would be so helpful to get feedback from nurses about what they need to help them not just survive, but to thrive in their profession!