Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in Nursing

Book excerpt: "[T]his is an exceptionalbook and worth the investment for both the novice nursewho wants to proactively recognize compassion fatigueand for the experienced nurse who is struggling with professionalquality of life."--Journal for Nurses in Professional Development "An excellent resource for all levels of nurses...Highly recommended."--Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries "The book is a powerfulexpression of the needs of all nurses, whatever theirpractice setting, with an easily applied method of reachingout to our co-workers and other healthcare professionals toimprove our own lives, and, ultimately, the welfare of ourpatients."--ANA-Maine Journal, The Newsletter of the American Nurses Association--Maine "Todaro-Franceschi has done a great service not only for nurses,but for all professional health care providers who will find this bookhelpful in sustaining compassion satisfaction while avoiding fatigueand, hopefully, preventing burnout."--The Forum "This book is a good resource for nurses interested in helping themselves or others maintain a connection with the purpose of their work."--Critical Care Nurse "This book provides insight and solutions to [compassion fatigue and burnout] and can save numerous nurses from leaving a loved and valued profession."--Advance For Nurses Compassion fatigue afflicts nurses working in all caring environments and has become a serious issue in health care institutions nationwide. This is the only book to specifically address this challenge and the related syndrome of burnout in nursing. It presents a unique healing model designed to identify, treat and, where possible, avert compassion fatigue with holistic strategies and action plans that help cultivate a healthier, more satisfying work environment. The volume addresses risk factors for and manifestations of compassion fatigue, burnout, and other related experiences such as PTS, death overload, collective trauma, and moral distress, and presents strategies to mediate and resolve these issues. The author emphasizes ways in which dissatisfaction influences the quality of patient care and calls for nurses to reinvent their work environments to favor compassion contentment. Case vignettes and exercises will help readers identify and alter patterns of negativity to reaffirm purpose in their professional lives. Key Features: Describes the positive and negative contributors to professional quality of life Explores the multifaceted nature of compassion fatigue and burnout, in nursing Addresses the unique risk factors for nurses who work in critical care/ER, oncology, medical/surgical, and palliative care areas Offers holistic self and group strategies and action plans to help leadership and staff nurses overcome compassion fatigue and promote work satisfaction Addresses gaps in education which contribute to the development of compassion fatigue and burnout Designed for nurses in stressful health care environments, and nurse educators and students