Compassion and Self-Renewal for Nurses

Compassion

and Self-

Renewal For

Nurses

Patti Newton BSN, RNC-OB

April 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 compassionand 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 take

to

renew

you?

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.