Work environments affect individuals physically, psychologically, spiritually and/or emotionally. Palliative care began with the aim of relieving suffering while enhancing the quality of life and it continued to advance beyond end-of-life care to involve all aspects of the disease continuum. Work done by these nurses is influenced by both the work environment and patient status, causing stresses. These stresses are caused by factors such as constant exposure to pain and suffering of patients, failed attempts at alleviation of suffering, patients’ family.
There are three concepts associated with the consequences of caring work; compassion fatigue, burnout and vicarious traumatization. Compassion fatigue is also known as secondary traumatic stress and is results from knowledge of and wanting to help or helping another who is traumatized or suffering. It can be enhanced by poor work environments and lack of social support, double duty caring caused by work and home roles, societal and organizational factors. Burnout involves emotional exhaustion and feelings of reduced personal accomplishment. It is not necessarily caused by the patient- nurse relationship but also the work environment- work overload, lack of fairness, control, reward and conflict of value. Vicarious traumatization is negativity instilled in the nurse due to exposure to graphic accounts of suffering, cruelty and trauma. This is similar to post traumatic stress disorder with feelings of fear and hopelessness. Studies need to be carried out on the types of stress nurses experience and factors that make some nurses more resilient than others so means of beating these stresses may be devised.
Today was harder than any other day in recent times. Three patients died during my shift. He was brought in two days ago from a cancer diagnosis only a year earlier. His family depended on him, nearly totally. I cannot take this anymore. I know we were trained to expect these kinds of scenarios but I don’t know if I can handle this.
Breaks
Taking my designated breaks as scheduled will be essential in reenergizing the body to keep working for long periods.
Accept what is happening
Accept that not everything is in your control and sometimes, things just happen. Don’t put all the blame on yourself and appreciate all the things that went right.
Cut down on stress
Short exercises, stretches, naps can go a long way in reenergizing the body and the mind as well. Practice short meditation sessions alone to help center you, especially when everything is going haywire.
