Monday, May 2, 2011

Suggested Readings

1).  Bush, N. (2009).  Compassion fatigue: Are you at risk?  Oncology Nursing Forum 36(1), 24-28.  doi:10.1188/09.ONF.24-28
2).  Frandsen, B. (2010).  Burnout or compassion fatigue?  Long-Term Living, 50-52.  www.LTLMAGAZINE.COM.
3).  Hatinen, M., Kinnunen, U., Makikangas, A., Kalimo, R., Tolvanen, A., & Pekkon, M. (2009).  Burnout during a long-term rehabilitation: comparing low burnout, high burnout – benefited, and high burnout – not benefited trajectories.  Anxiety, Stress & Coping, 22(3), 341-360. doi:10.1080/10615800802567023
4).  Panos, A. (2007).  Understanding and Preventing Compassion Fatigue- A Handout For Professionals.  Retrieved from
http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/prvntcf.html. 

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

s/s



Cognitive
    Apathy
    Decreased concentration
    Decreased self-esteem
Emotional
    Depression
    Anxiety
    Guilt
    Numbness
    Helplessness
Behavioral
    Sleep changes
    Moody/Irritable
    Appetite changes
    Accident prone
Physical-Somatic
    Aches and pains
    Rapid heartbeat
    Shortness of Breath
Relationships
    Loneliness
    Withdrawn
    Isolation

Signs and Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue.

Compassion and empathy for others is a magnificent character attribute.  However this attribute may also be what puts caregivers at higher risk for CF. 

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Running, Woodward & GIrard (2008) give the definition of compassion fatigue as:

"Compassion fatigue has been defined in the literature as a stress reaction that can result from helping or striving to help another individual who has experienced a traumatic event" (304)


Hospice nurses are familiar with giving of themselves to their patients and families.  Usually the closer the patient comes to their end of journey, the stress and anxiety levels of the family and at times the patient become very high.  Hospice nurses are trained to provide education, emotional and spiritual support at the end-of-life.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Burnout

According to Bakker, Blanc and Schaufeli (2005), one definition for burnout occurs when professional caregivers become emotionally depleted from the stress of caring for their patients. (para 2, p. 277).  Stress can occur from elements such as the individual being overworked, short staffed, area of practice that is fast paced and requires precision, in addition to physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual exhaustion. 




Sunday, March 27, 2011

Hello Everyone

My name is Deb also known as Scottie.  Instructional Technology Integration 501-01 is a class I am currently in as I work toward obtaining my Masters Nursing/Nurse Educator. 
I have developed this blog as an educational site:
Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
Site will encompass:
·         Factors that lead up to Burnout or Compassion Fatigue
·         Signs and symptoms of Burnout or Compassion Fatigue
·         What can we do to prevent ourselves from suffering Burnout or Compassion Fatigue
·         What can employers implement to stop Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
·         Why it is important that nurses advocate prevention of Burnout or Compassion Fatigue

Please watch video at:
Photograph from:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=nursing+burnout+&view=detail&id=BA9BE18094735B52D1E150A99C720C2FC920D28C&first=1&FORM=IDFRIR&qpvt=nursing+burnout+.

Objectives for Burnout or Compassion Fatigue Module

Students will be able to:
·         Define Burnout and compassion fatigue
·         Identify signs and symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue
·         Give examples of stressors that may cause burnout and compassion fatigue
·         Distinguish differences of burnout and compassion fatigue
·         Distinguish factors that may predict nurses at high risk for burnout or compassion fatigue
·         Develop strategies for combating and preventing burnout and compassion fatigue