The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused serious problems for healthcare professionals around the world. Although the pandemic is approaching its conclusion, it continues to have a significant impact on healthcare personnel. The pandemic has affected many healthcare workers’ mental and emotional wellbeing. It has also caused healthcare employees to increasingly experience compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue has been a problem for many nurses and other healthcare professionals during the pandemic. With a clear understanding of compassion fatigue and its impact, you can guard against this issue.
What Is Compassion Fatigue?
You can experience compassion fatigue if you work long hours in a healthcare role. In this instance, you may deal with patients who are ill, experiencing mental health issues, or coping with other trauma. You may try to be empathetic to patients and what they are experiencing. Yet, despite your best efforts, you may feel numb to support them.
Those dealing with compassion fatigue are susceptible to exhaustion and burnout. Compassion fatigue can also cause myriad symptoms that make it tough for a healthcare professional to help patients. These symptoms can include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Depression
- Irritability
- Loss of job satisfaction
- Anger
At the first sign of any compassion fatigue symptoms, consult with a doctor. Then, you can work with your doctor to find safe and healthy ways to cope with your symptoms.
How Is Compassion Fatigue Treated?
There are several things that may help you manage compassion fatigue, including:
- Eat healthy. Maintain a diet rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that give you energy and help you feel your best.
- Exercise regularly. Go for a walk, perform yoga, or enjoy other exercises that allow you to temporarily step away from the hustle and bustle of work and relieve stress.
- Get a good night’s sleep. Prioritize sleep; try to get seven to nine hours of rest each night so you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle any work challenges that come your way.
- Find healthy coping mechanisms. Read, practice deep breathing, and find other healthy ways to relax when you’re away from work.
- Spend time with family members and friends. Make time for family members and friends; if you can’t meet with them, you can always make a phone call or set up video chats to keep the lines of communication open.
If you constantly struggle with compassion fatigue, you may want to consider new job opportunities as well. At this point, you can update your resume. You can reach out to employers that offer a salary and benefits package that align with your expectations. And you can even partner with a best-in-class healthcare staffing agency.
Want to Find a New Job in Healthcare? CHN Health Care Group Can Help
CHN Health Care Group is a top healthcare staffing agency in Massachusetts. Our professional healthcare recruiters can learn about you and what you want to accomplish in your career. We can then put you in touch with leading healthcare organizations looking for the best job candidates. To get started, explore our job board today.