"[T]his is an exceptionalbook and worth the investment for both the novice nursewho wants to proactively recognize compassion fatigueand for the experienced nurse who is struggling with professionalquality of life."--Journal for Nurses in Professional Development

"An excellent resource for all levels of nurses...Highly recommended."--Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries

"The book is a powerfulexpression of the needs of all nurses, whatever theirpractice setting, with an easily applied method of reachingout to our co-workers and other healthcare professionals toimprove our own lives, and, ultimately, the welfare of ourpatients."--ANA-Maine Journal, The Newsletter of the American Nurses Association--Maine

"Todaro-Franceschi has done a great service not only for nurses,but for all professional health care providers who will find this bookhelpful in sustaining compassion satisfaction while avoiding fatigueand, hopefully, preventing burnout."--The Forum

"This book is a good resource for nurses interested in helping themselves or others maintain a connection with the purpose of their work."--Critical Care Nurse

"This book provides insight and solutions to [compassion fatigue and burnout] and can save numerous nurses from leaving a loved and valued profession."--Advance For Nurses

Compassion fatigue afflicts nurses working in all caring environments and has become a serious issue in health care institutions nationwide. This is the only book to specifically address this challenge and the related syndrome of burnout in nursing. It presents a unique healing model designed to identify, treat and, where possible, avert compassion fatigue with holistic strategies and action plans that help cultivate a healthier, more satisfying work environment.

The volume addresses risk factors for and manifestations of compassion fatigue, burnout, and other related experiences such as PTS, death overload, collective trauma, and moral distress, and presents strategies to mediate and resolve these issues. The author emphasizes ways in which dissatisfaction influences the quality of patient care and calls for nurses to reinvent their work environments to favor compassion contentment. Case vignettes and exercises will help readers identify and alter patterns of negativity to reaffirm purpose in their professional lives.

• Describes the positive and negative contributors to professional quality of life
• Explores the multifaceted nature of compassion fatigue and burnout, in nursing
• Addresses the unique risk factors for nurses who work in critical care/ER, oncology, medical/surgical, and palliative care areas
• Offers holistic self and group strategies and action plans to help leadership and staff nurses overcome compassion fatigue and promote work satisfaction
• Addresses gaps in education which contribute to the development of compassion fatigue and burnout
• Designed for nurses in stressful health care environments, and nurse educators and students

Preface
Acknowledgments
Foreword Diana J. Mason
Foreword Nessa Coyle

Part 1 Professional Quality of Life

1 Introduction: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

2 Transforming Both Health and Care

Part 2 Unity, Purpose, and the Good: An Ethic of Caring

3 Compassion and Contentment: Being Heartful

4 Values and Excellences in Nursing

5 The ART of Reaffirming Purpose

Part 3 The Bad and The Ugly: Compassion Fatigue and Burnout

6 A Heavy Heart Hurts

7 I Know What I Ought To Do!

8 Burnt Out and Seemingly Heartless

Part 4 Facing Death

9 Being Prepared to Care For the Dying

10 Shared Horrors and Aching, Breaking Hearts

Part 5 Beating the Odds

11 Cultivating Collective Mindful Awareness

12 Imagine It and Actualize It

Appendices

Resources
Index