Compassion Fatigue and Nursing Burnout

Compassion Fatigue and Nursing Burnout

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Problem summery

People that work with trauma victims are likely to suffer a condition of gradual lessening of compassion over a period of time known as compassion fatigue. Nursing is a profession where nurses handle different patients with different conditions with whom some may be in critical conditions. Compassion fatigue is characterized by hopelessness, stress, sleeplessness, no pleasure and bad attitude by sufferers Braunschneider, (2013). The problem with this condition is that individuals can suffer professionally and on a personal basis. This leads to a significant reduction of productivity, low level of motivation and emergence of guilt of incompetency among victims at their workplaces. 

Nursing burnout is another problem that has directly affected nurses in their line of profession and their general relationships with people. Nurses that suffer from this condition exhibit mental and physical or emotional exhaustion. It leads to detachment and disengagement of the victims. It reduces motivation and lead to hopelessness hence making nurses less cautious in the handling of patients. Subsequently, hospitals that record higher rates of burnout receive lower rates of patient satisfaction. It must be understood that the problem of burnout results from long shifts, putting others first before self and pressure at work. The problem is that nurses are in demand worldwide hence are forced to go for long hours at the workplace. The nursing profession comprises people that are selfless.  The sense of caring more for others well-being and over-look their personal interests.  The mordacity to deal with extreme cases such as those of sickness and death can be traumatizing and impact negatively on nurses.

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The chosen Middle range nursing theory and its appropriateness

The most appropriate middle range nursing theory to help nurses manage compassion fatigue and burnout is the mid-range descriptive theory. According to Fawcett, (2005), this theory identifies commonalities in people and situations. It presents an identification mechanisms between concepts while classifying phenomena and what they entail. In this regard, a mechanism can be developed that helps with the identification of compassionate fatigue and burnout among nurses in a hospital facility. The nurses that suffer these conditions can be identified for further recommended actions. Each descriptive theory classifies different phenomena and may entail only a single concept. The theory names different commonalities that exist in discrete observations of various people and events (Peterson and Bredow, 2009). 

Origin of the Middle range theory

The origin of this middle range theory dates back to the 1970’s when nurses identified the need to integrate theories in their professional endeveours. This led to the holding of many nursing conferences to discuss the relevance of the theory in the nursing profession. The development of a consensus to use the theory as a tool in the nursing profession led to its emulation by healthcare providers. There has been many applications of the theory in the nursing profession for decades.

Previous applications of the middle range theory

The middle range theory was widely used in the early part of history which was characterized by little or no formal education. The development of nursing education created the need for nurses to advance their understanding of the increasingly more complicated care situations presented to them by different clients. This led to the formulation of the middle range that is useful in nursing profession. The urge for more knowledge led to better applications of the theory in enhancing satisfaction and safety of both clients and the nurses that serve them.

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The middle range descriptive theory is applicable in holistic care which expresses a totality of patient’s care of mind, body or spirit. The theory provides a mechanism to realize the health of a person by providing physical, mental and spiritual care of nurses. The theory is most appl