1. In service: Compassion Fatigue
Premier Healthcare August 2, 2016

2. Compassion Fatigue
“State of significant depletion or exhaustion of the nurse’s store of compassion, resulting from repeated activation over time of empathic and sympathetic responses to pain and distress in patients and in loved ones” (Lachman 276)
“Nurses and other healthcare workers are continually exposed to negative events experienced by their residents/patients, and over time an accumulative state occurs as the nurse is overwhelmed by this secondary exposure. Chronic exposure to the stress and loss experienced by residents for whom they care, if not managed, results in a sense of helplessness or even hopelessness.” (MacLaughlin)

3. Compassion Fatigue versus Burnout
Although compassion fatigue and burnout are similar most authors describe them as distinct phenomena that can also be related. (Lachman 275)
Compassion Fatigue “the negative effects on clinicians due to work with traumatized clients” (Smart 3)
Compassion Fatigue “term used to describe the combination of burnout and secondary traumatic stress” (Kelly et al 522)
Lachman defines burnout as “Prolonged response to chronic emotional and interpersonal stressors on the job leading to a combination of physical and emotional exhaustion, involving the development of a negative job attitude, negative self-concept, and loss of feelings and concern for people.” (276)
“Burnout describes distress experienced by employees related to job expectations and working conditions” (Melvin)

5. Development of Compassion Fatigue
Nurses with high job satisfaction as less likely to experience compassion fatigue
. “Generally higher levels of compassion satisfaction are associated with lower levels of compassion fatigue.” (Smart 3)
Certain healthcare settings can increase the risk of compassion fatigue.
“The intensity of the patient setting is related to development of CF (Compassion fatigue). HCP’s caring for traumatized individuals, including traumatized or stressed infants, children, mothers, and victims of intimate partner violence, are at risk” (Sorenson 462)
“From a nursing perspective, prolonged, continuous, and intense contact with patients and families undergoing stressful life changes can lead to CF” (Kelly et al 523)

6. What can be done to prevent it?
SELF CARE!
. “Self-care was reported to be the most significant prevention measure.” (Sorenson 462) “By adopting healthy lifestyle choices and focusing on burnout and compassion fatigue prevention, you can minimize work stresses and their toll.” (MacLaughlin 1)
Knowledge is Power
Understanding what compassion fatigue is and the warning signs can help you recognize it before it escalates (Price)

7. Resources Available
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue is important.
Ask for HELP
Speak to HR, DON, or ADON. They are there for you and can help.
Look out for yourself and your coworkers, we all need a helping hand sometimes.

8. Works Cited
Kelly, Lesly, et al. "Predictors Of Compassion Fatigue And Compassion Satisfaction In Acute Care Nurses." Journal Of Nursing Scholarship 47.6, 2015, pp CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Accessed 12 Oct. 2016
Lachman, Vicki D. "Ethics, Law, And Policy. Compassion Fatigue As A Threat To Ethical Practice: Identification, Personal And Workplace Prevention/Management Strategies." MEDSURG Nursing 25.4, 2016, pp CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Accessed 12 Oct
MacLaughlin Frandsen, Betty. “Burnout or Compassion Fatigue?” Ltl Magazine Online. May 1, 2010, pp Accessed 12 Oct. 2016
Melvin, Christina S. “Historical Review in Understanding Burnout, Professional Compassion Fatigue, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder From a Hospice and Palliative Nursing Perspective” Medscape. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing” February 27, pp Accessed on 28 October 2016
Smart, Denise, et al. "Compassion Fatigue And Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional Survey Among US Healthcare Workers." Nursing & Health Sciences 16.1, 2014, pp CINAHL Plus with Full Text. Accessed 12 Oct
Price, Jodie. “Understanding Compassion Fatigue in Nursing” Gap Medics. March 31, Pars Accessed on 26 Oct
Bluestone, Julia et al. “Effective in-service Training Design and Delivery: Evidence from an Integrative Literature Review.” Human Resources for Health 11 (2013): 51. PMC. Web 9 Nov