If you are an oncology nurse, more than likely you have heard friends and strangers exclaim, “How do you do it? That’s got to be so emotionally draining!” For nurses who have had long and fulfilling careers in oncology nursing, the key has probably been emotional resilience.
Emotional resilience is a key factor in mitigating the effects of compassion fatigue, which is a common result of carrying the emotional weight of the job nearly 24-7. Emotional resilience involves adapting to this stress by developing coping strategies and strong support systems.
Characteristics of resilient individuals include optimism, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and self-care practices. Developing resilience allows healthcare workers to navigate emotionally challenging situations without becoming overwhelmed (Box).
Maintaining optimism, in particular, has been shown to protect against stress and enhance overall well-being. Studies indicate that healthcare workers with a positive outlook are better able to manage the emotional demands of their roles and experience greater job satisfaction.
In other words, this helps build emotional resilience. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing, have also been effective in reducing stress and promoting emotional balance. Developing a growth mindset—where challenges are viewed as opportunities for learning and resilience—is essential in combating compassion fatigue.
Strong social support systems, including workplace peer networks and personal relationships, help mitigate the effects of compassion fatigue. Healthcare professionals who have a strong network of colleagues, friends, and family members to confide in are more likely to manage emotional stress effectively. Workplace leaders also play a crucial role in supporting staff well-being by fostering a culture of care and recognition.
A crucial yet often overlooked aspect of resilience is recovery time. Chronic stress without periods of recuperation can have severe consequences for mental and physical health. Research suggests that taking breaks, utilizing paid time off, and engaging in restorative activities significantly improve emotional resilience and job performance. Healthcare leaders can encourage work-life balance by promoting reasonable shift schedules, encouraging colleagues to schedule time off, and facilitating strategies to cross-cover workloads so colleagues can fully engage in their time away.
In addition, mindfulness techniques, such as guided imagery, gratitude practices, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation, have been shown to enhance recovery from emotional exhaustion. These practices help healthcare workers regulate their emotions, maintain focus, and cultivate inner peace despite external stressors.
Compassion fatigue and burnout are prevalent issues among healthcare professionals, but they are not inevitable. Through resilience-building strategies, strong social support, and workplace interventions, oncology nurses can maintain their emotional well-being and continue to deliver high-quality patient care.
Nurses in every corner of healthcare carry their own specific version of emotional weight. It’s not surprising to find that oncology nurses feel this heaviness more acutely because of the ever-present nature of cancer and cancer care. Rather than turning away from the stress that comes with oncology nursing, it’s possible to allow yourself to grieve the losses that can come with a cancer diagnosis and the provision of care, yet embrace the gains.
Remembering the patients who have benefitted from the care you have delivered, rather than being overwhelmed by these memories, helps to reframe those experiences and see caring for them as a privilege versus a burden.
Having walked alongside hundreds of patients and their families myself over 30+ years, this recipe for resilience has made oncology nursing even more rewarding. It’s an intimate experience to have a cancer diagnosis, and patients need oncology nurses who can walk alongside them with resilience.
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