Burnout and compassion fatigue are increasingly recognized in the healthcare world—but what do these terms really mean, and how do they differ? In this article, we hope to shed light on the differences between the two terms and how they interact with each other.
What is burnout?
“A syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.”
The World Health Organization.
It seems like burnout has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue lately, but what exactly is “burnout” and how does it affect nurses? Burnout is generally described as a work-induced exhaustion and demotivation that can affect one’s ability and willingness to do their work.
Healthcare workers are exposed to several stressors due to the nature of their career, such as high-intensity workloads, lack of social support, lack of free time, violent patients, rude or demanding patients, or terminally ill patients.
Nurses are particularly susceptible to burnout because of the nature of their career as caregivers. “Beyond the Bedside: The State of Nursing” surveyed 2,600 and found that 65% of nurses experience stress and burnout.
According to the nursing survey, 59% of nurses report that among the top challenges of their job include short staffing and high patient ratios, 52% say inadequate pay and benefits, and 51% say they feel undervalued by management.
Burnout is not an individual issue but an organizational one. Nurse burnout is not only an occupational hazard but also negatively affects patient safety, worsening quality of care, and decreased patient satisfaction.
Burnout in the healthcare profession is not uncommon. Our article Balancing Patient Care and Self-Care: How Nurses Can Avoid Burnout describes different warning signs for burnout in nurses and how to avoid it.
What is compassion fatigue?
Compassion fatigue: a state of emotional detachment and physical exhaustion experienced by individuals that work with victims of disasters, trauma, or illness, especially in the healthcare field. (Psychologist Charles Figley)
Those who suffer from compassion fatigue have trouble interacting empathetically with their patients, which negatively affects patient care. Nurses experiencing compassion fatigue may suffer from anxiety, and a study linked it to higher rates of internet addiction.
Not only does job satisfaction decline when a nurse experiences compassion fatigue, but the workplace environment also suffers. This can materialize in decreased productivity and increased turnover in an industry already facing staffing shortages.
When nurses face increased exposure to their patients’ traumatic experiences, it can increase their probability of making improper decisions, poor treatment planning, or medical errors.
What is the difference between burnout and compassion fatigue?
These two terms have been used interchangeably, and the definitions of them are not always clear, but while these two terms have many things in common, there are a couple of ways to set them apart.
Burnout references a general disinterest and lack of motivation when it comes to work and happens over a period. Compassion fatigue refers to the negative emotions that stem from helping others at work that may come on suddenly. Burnout comes from being overworked and occupational stress, while compassion fatigue originates from the emotional experience of working with those experiencing trauma.
What can be done?
Nurses need organizational support. “Beyond the Bedside: The State of Nursing” found that 24% of workplaces do not offer mental health resources to their nurses, 21% do offer support but it goes unused, and 24% of nurses are unsure what resources their workplaces offer. This shows that offering mental health support and promoting it, making sure that healthcare workers know what resources are available to them, is important in ceasing nurse burnout.
The nursing survey also suggests organizations build strategies to not only attract nurses but retain them by presenting them with respect, giving opportunities for growth, and flexibility. The survey goes on to encourage compensating nurses fairly, supporting a healthy work-life balance, streamlining the credentialing process, and opting for supportive leaders who value empathy and open communication.
Mindfulness practices have been shown to be effective at delivering benefits directly to nurses, seeing a decline in stress and signs of burnout as well as an increase in engagement and resilience. Having mindfulness practices online and accessible by phone has also been shown to contribute to better mental health.
Burnout and compassion fatigue may be similar concepts, but it’s important to understand the differences between the two terms. Being aware of what you can do to combat burnout and compassion fatigue can keep your mental health in good condition.
