Running head: Compassion fatigue 1

Compassion Fatigue in Nursing

Christian A. Pass

Brigham Young University - Idaho

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Compassion Fatigue in Nursing

Compassion fatigue was first used in Coping with compassion fatigue by Joinson (1992)

in which it was defined as loss of the ability to nurture. Found below in this paper is found the

topics of: What does compassion fatigue mean, what are the symptoms of compassion fatigue,

and strategies that can be implemented my those that care in order to assist them.

What Does Compassion Fatigue Mean?

Compassion fatigue is the feeling of being emotionally drained do to the exposure of

trauma, death, physical and emotional pain. As defined by one nurse it is Compassion, or the

feeling of emotion which ensues when a person is moved by the distress or suffering of another

(Hooper, et al., 2010.) Considering the stressful and demanding nature of nursing, and the

weight that is placed upon the shoulders of those front-line health care workers, being worn out

only seems logical and consistent with the nature of their profession.

What are the symptoms of compassion fatigue?

Compassion fatigue ensues when the margin between personal and patient emotions take a

symbiotic existence. Some common symptoms of compassion fatigue are feelings of self-

blame, futility, impotence, vulnerability, isolation, distress, and guilt, especially if [emotionally

taxing] scenarios occur repeatedly over time (Adams, Boscarino, & Figley, 2006.)

Strategies for relieving compassion fatigue

Just as nurses provide assessments, planning, and interventions in the lives of patients.

they too should assess the contributing factors, make plans on how to change those tiring

contributors, and develop interventions into their schedules that will provide for relief from

fatigue. The great Captain Moroni wrote in Alma 60:23 (The Book Of Mormon) saying Now I
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would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first,

and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also. In context, we are to make sure that our house

is in order, our being is harmonized, and our life is straight, in order to provide the most adequate

care to not only our patients, but our selves. Guided imagery, meditation, vacationing, exercising,

and leisure activities are all activities that can be included in the life of a nurse in order to

provide the most buffering support to them.

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References

Adams, R.E., Boscarino, J.A., & Figley, C.R. (2006). Compassion fatigue and
psychological stress among social workers: A validation study. American
Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 76(1), 103-108.

Hooper, C., Craig, J., Janvrin, D.R., Wetzel, M.A., & Reimels, E. (2010). Compassion
satisfaction, burnout and compassion fatigue among emergency nurses
compared with nurses in other selected inpatient specialties. Journal of
Emergency Nursing, 36(5), 420-427.

Joinson, C. (1992). Coping with compassion fatigue. Nursing, 22(4), 116, 118-120.