When care 'nourishes' and when it 'empties'. The nursing experience as told by a group of nurses

Abstract

Repeated and continuous exposure to suffering, pain and peoplès death can develop a series of emotional, psychological, behavioral, value and identity disorders for those who provide care. This contribution presents the results of a qualitative survey aimed at understanding experience and representations of those who daily deal with nursing with particular attention to themes as compassion fatigue, burnout and compassion satisfaction. 20 nurses, who practice in different health contexts, were interviewed to capture the main elements of satisfaction and professional efforts, looking at coping strategies and self-care practices. The survey wishes to decipher the care experience starting from the elements that "nourish" and "empty"nursing staff. The results are read and analyzed in the pedagogical perspective that provided the framework for the entire research.