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•    Withdrawn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. 

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.

Compassion Fatigue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDVhrwlMWOo

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. 

     Bakker, A., Le Blanc, M. & Schaufeli, W. (2005).  Nursing theory and concept development or analysis burnout contagion among intensive care nurses.  Journal of Advanced Nursing, 51(3), 276-287. 
Power Point
http://www.screencast.com/users/RNScottie/folders/Jing/media/459d92b3-ea65-4916-9d48-b74aac0198d5.
http://www.screencast.com/users/RNScottie/folders/Jing/media/6a723a35-46aa-4965-aaef-64e646d6c6a9.
http://www.screencast.com/users/RNScottie/folders/Jing/media/aaaa72db-7cf3-469f-a1dc-3657db91173d.
http://www.screencast.com/users/RNScottie/folders/Jing/media/de9c6df5-c250-4cc2-9053-c803d1f9f796.
http://www.screencast.com/users/RNScottie/folders/Jing/media/b98b94fa-c6fb-49c2-ba90-7855967cc05a.
http://www.screencast.com/users/RNScottie/folders/Jing/media/1b719ad9-c01e-431e-8d9a-94ef094c91aa.
http://www.screencast.com/users/RNScottie/folders/Jing/media/bdd7cb96-1595-45c2-a013-2687f084130a.
http://www.screencast.com/users/RNScottie/folders/Jing/media/d695d320-e43b-431f-b75c-47328e7940c1.