compassion and self renewal for nurses
DESCRIPTION
What is the link between nursing burnout and compassionate nursing care? What can we do about it?TRANSCRIPT
Compassion and Self-Renewal For Nurses
Patti Newton BSN, RNC-OBApril 16, 2011
ObjectivesUpon completion, participants will be able to: Explain compassion as it pertains to nursing Explain why nurturing oneself is important for
the nurse Describe 3 negative effects seen in the
workplace when the nurse is not self-nurtured Describe 3 ways in which the nurse can
nurture herself/himself List 2 barriers nurses may have to self-
nurturing
Code of Ethics“The nurse, in all professional relationships, practices with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every individual, unrestricted by considerations of social or economic status, personal attributes, or the nature of health problems.”
(ANA Code of Ethics, Provision 1)
What is compassion? “Looking inward and outward…”
(Turkel and Ray, 2004)
“…integrity that can reveal the path to personal excellence and outstanding social influence”
(Turkel and Ray, 2004)
“sorrow or pity for the sufferings of another person”
(www.thefreedictionary.com)
“Registered nurses have high levels of compassion for others, or they would not have become
registered nurses”
(Turkel and Ray, 2004).
“In order to be compassionate, one needs courage
and inner strength”
(Traverso, S., 2011).
But…
When we are struggling or hurting, we don’t feel very
courageous or strong, so the level of compassion we can show to our patients will be
affected.
Taking care of everyone except our own individual souls
leads to burnout, fatigue, hurtful words and behaviors.
“The inability to care for self frequently shows up as violence at
the workplace. One particularly alarming area of practice that has
been discovered is horizontal violence – where nurses … develop destructive behaviors toward self
and other nurses, especially younger, idealist nurses who are
beginning their professional journey”
(Turkel and Ray, 2004).
“Emotional symptoms (of work stress) may include loss of self-esteem, a sense of detachment,
irritability, helplessness, and avoidance of co-workers”
(Brown, p. 76)
“Physical symptoms of work stress may include fatigue,
immune system impairment, headaches, insomnia, and
heartburn”
(Brown, p. 76)
“Behavioral symptoms may include tardiness, absenteeism,
missed meetings, drug and alcohol use, and lack of connection with others”
(Brown, p. 76)
So…WHAT DO WE DO ?
The Value of Self-Renewal
“As self is renewed, personal and professional commitments
become balanced and inner energy is replenished”
(Turkel and Ray, 2004).
What would it taketo
renewyou?
Develop your own plan of self-care
Think about your visions, desires and goals
Use days off for personal renewal
Start the workday with a centering or relaxation ritual
Take breaks off the unit
Eat lunch off the unit
Meditation Room
“As role models for patients, co-workers, and family members, nurses lacking self-care may
unintentionally convey to others that health is not valued”
(Connolly, Gulanick, Keough & Holm, 1997).
Barriers to Self-Care Lack of time
Lack of knowledge
Lack of self-care skills
Lack of motivation(Brown, p. 76)
“As more nurses experience self-renewal, they will be creating a community of caring for self,
colleagues, patients, and visitors and establishing deep personal connections with each other”
(Turkel and Ray, 2004).
“Self-care highlights the greatest asset of all –
the individual. Self-care is critical to health and
healing”
(Turkel and Ray, 2004).
A nurse who is holistic and self-caring
can create harmony with others through authentic presence
in the caring moment”
(Turkel and Ray, 2004).
ReferencesAmerican Nurses Association, Code of Ethics, www.nursingworld.org
Brown, C.J. (2009). Self-renewal in nursing leadership: The lived experience of caring for self. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 27 (2),75 – 84.
Compassion, www.thefreedictionary.com
ReferencesConnolly, M., Gulanick, M., Keough, V., & Holm, K. (1997). Health practices of critical care nurses: Are these nurses good role models for patients? American Journal of Critical Care, 6(4), 261-266.
Traverso, S., (2001). What is compassion? www.seedsofunfolding.com
Turkel, M.C. & Ray, M.A. (2004). Creating a caring practice environment through self-renewal. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 28 (4), 249-254.