I ran this workshop four rounds in 2023 for Pantai Hospital, KL for the nurses and staff.
The prevalence of vicarious trauma and chronic stress often triggers Compassion Fatigue and burnout among caregivers, spanning from professional healthcare workers to personal caregivers. Compassion Fatigue is a frequent occurrence among healthcare professionals like nurses, doctors, nursing home staff, and personal support workers (PSWs). Its detrimental impacts extend to both personal and work life, often resulting in leaves of absence, job turnover, and resignations. This workshop aims to equip managers, employees, and those grappling with Compassion Fatigue with practical information and tools for coping and resilience.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how vicarious trauma can lead to Compassion Fatigue and burnout.
- Learn to identify the symptoms of Compassion Fatigue.
- Learn to determine the effects of chronic stress on the body.
- Learn to identify potential Compassion Fatigue warning signs early to prevent burnout and foster wellness for greater productivity and longevity.
- Learn how to deescalate stress related to vicarious trauma when it happens.
Some Topics Covered:
- Why preventing Compassion Fatigue is essential for caregivers, caregiving organizations, and the recipients of care.
- Definitions of Compassion Fatigue, vicarious trauma, and burnout.
- Why Compassion Fatigue happens.
- The symptoms of Compassion Fatigue.
- The causes of Compassion Fatigue.
- How chronic stress affects our physical and mental health, thoughts and perceptions, and behaviours.
- Simple strategies to quiet your mind and deescalate stress.
- How to prevent Compassion Fatigue with self-care, self-awareness, and boundaries.
How nurses can prevent compassion fatigue?
Nursing is a fulfilling profession for many, but it carries certain risks, such as compassion fatigue. Without intervention, compassion fatigue can lead to burnout. Nurses must learn to identify potential symptoms and develop the skills necessary to alleviate this condition.
What is compassion fatigue?
Compassion fatigue manifests as a state of profound physical, emotional, or spiritual exhaustion resulting from the continuous care of highly distressed individuals. Those who struggle to cope with the stressors inherent in attending to patients experiencing various forms of distress are susceptible to this condition.
Signs of compassion fatigue among nurses often include a range of physical, emotional, and work-related symptoms. Physical indicators may include disruptions in sleep patterns, often emerging as one of the initial signs. Emotional manifestations may encompass feelings of sadness, mood fluctuations, and symptoms of anxiety or depression.
What Can Nurses Do to Prevent Compassion Fatigue?
There are many ways to promote healthy caregiving and build resilience against compassion fatigue. Below are three key ways you can prevent this condition.
- Professional Boundaries – Learning to set appropriate boundaries can help nurses balance their personal and professional involvement.
- Self-care – To effectively care for others, it’s imperative to prioritize self-care. Just as in pre-flight safety procedures where you’re instructed to secure your oxygen mask before assisting others, the principle applies to caregiving as well.
- Work/Life Balance – Balance your schedule.
Recognizing and understanding the signs of compassion fatigue is crucial for effectively managing it and continuing to provide support to others. Start by taking a personal inventory of the tools and resources available to you to build resilience. If you find that maintaining boundaries is consistently challenging, consider seeking professional counseling to explore coping strategies.
Remember that part of your responsibility in caring for patients is taking care of yourself. Revisit past self-care practices that have worked for you or experiment with new ones to rejuvenate your well-being. Strive to achieve a healthy balance between your work and personal life, and seek out support within your workplace.
It’s essential to recognize that compassion fatigue doesn’t have to be an inevitable consequence of caregiving. With proactive measures and support systems in place, you can mitigate its impact and continue to provide compassionate care without sacrificing your own well-being.
How I Can Help
I provide organizations with consulting and customise training for preventing employee burnout through the lens of organizational culture.
Testimony:
Attending the “Transforming Compassion Fatigue” workshop was an enlightening and transformative experience. The workshop provided a safe space for deep reflection and self-care, equipping me with invaluable tools to combat compassion fatigue. Through engaging discussions and practical exercises, I gained a profound understanding of the importance of self-compassion and setting healthy boundaries. The facilitators’ expertise and genuine empathy created a nurturing environment that encouraged vulnerability and growth. I am immensely grateful for this workshop, as it has revitalized my passion for my work and rejuvenated my spirit. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to reclaim their compassion and find sustainable ways to care for others while caring for themselves.
Lindsay Yapp
Manager of Clinical Service Development Department, Pantai Hospital KL
