One of the harshest realities for new nurses is when that first big dose of compassion fatigue hits. It can be shocking, disheartening and confusing to realize you aren't "feeling all your feelings" with every single tragedy you encounter.

The first step to getting a handle on compassion fatigue is knowing that partitioning off parts of yourself is vital to your emotional survival as a nurse. The next step is learning to recognize it as a key component in burnout so that you can stave it off before it comes on full force. And, if it does run you over like a freight train, knowing when and how to seek help is crucial to your longevity as a compassionate and effective clinician.



Looking for friendly support as you go through your pre-reqs and nursing school? Head on over to our growing Facebook group "Thriving Nursing Students" where we're focused on staying happy, healthy and stress-free (or as close to it as possible) while in nursing school. See you there!

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