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.