Developing and maintaining compassionate care in nursing (2024)

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Amanda Henderson Nursing director, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health, Queensland, Australia
Jenny Jones Ethicist, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Health, Queensland, Australia

Compassionate care is a fundamental aspect of nursing, and is an important value that is embedded in nurses’ professional standards and codes of practice. However, nurses may experience several challenges in their practice that can impede their ability to provide compassionate care. This article aims to support and guide nurses in developing their capacity to be compassionate. It explores concepts related to compassion, including compassion satisfaction, fatigue, literacy and self-compassion, and outlines strategies that nurses can implement to promote compassionate care. This article encourages nurses to identify their personal and professional values, to understand how these can influence their attitudes and behaviours. By raising awareness of these concepts, as well as the challenges and changing nature of compassion, it is hoped that nurses’ capacity to provide compassionate care will be enhanced.

Nursing Standard.32, 4, 60-69. doi: 10.7748/ns.2017.e10895

Correspondence

Amanda.Henderson@health.qld.gov.au

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 12 May 2017

Accepted: 26 July 2017

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Developing and maintaining compassionate care in nursing (2024)

FAQs

How to provide compassionate care in nursing? ›

How Can a Nurse Demonstrate Compassionate Care? Even the smallest of responses can convey compassion — greeting patients with a smile or simply making eye contact. Each positive gesture further solidifies the commitment to providing patient-centered quality care aimed at improving patient outcomes.

What is compassionate care nursing? ›

compassionate care

Compassion is how care is given through relationships based on empathy, respect and dignity. It can also be described as intelligent kindness and is central to how people perceive their care.

What are the 5 elements of compassion care? ›

They concluded that compassion entails five elements that apply to the self or others: 1) recognising suffering, 2) understanding the universality of suffering in human experience, 3) feeling for the person suffering and emotionally connecting with their distress, 4) tolerating any uncomfortable feelings aroused (e.g., ...

What are the 6 C's of nursing compassion? ›

Care, Compassion, Courage, Commitment, Communication and Competence: The 6 Cs. J Perioper Pract.

What are the 7 C's of compassionate care? ›

7Cs of Health and Wellness = Connection, Communication, Compassion, Community, Creativity, Caring | Mayo Clinic Connect.

What is an example of compassion in patient care? ›

It's also about ensuring you always listen to the patient's wishes and act upon them when you can. For example, if a patient does not consent to a certain type of treatment, you should listen and understand their decision, taking into account their point of view rather than dismissing it.

What are the five principles of compassionate care? ›

The five principles are: compassionate care - a caring attitude towards patients and their families shown as kindness and a desire to help; generalist approach - a perspective on the whole person and the context of illness including family, culture and society; continuity of relationship - the interpersonal bond of ...

What is a good nurse compassion? ›

Empathy allows you to have a patient-centered approach to caregiving by relating to what they're experiencing. Compassion fuels your desire to help ease the pain and suffering of others. These two skills contribute to inspiring trust in your patient relationships.

What is compassion and competence in nursing? ›

Compassion competence is a nurse's ability to provide patient-centered care and communicate with patients in a sensitive and insightful manner.

What is the golden rule of compassion? ›

Here, then, lies the origin of The Golden Rule. The Golden Rule can be expressed positively: 'Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. '

What does compassion look like in healthcare? ›

According to an American Behavioral Scientist study, compassion involves three main factors: Noticing: having an awareness of another's feelings and emotions. Feeling: developing an emotional response to another's suffering and experiences. Responding: being motivated to alleviate that suffering.

What is compassionate care in nursing? ›

This can mean providing comfort through a reassuring word, proactive care, or a warm, caring presence. Compassionate nursing involves recognising the unique humanity of each individual, listening attentively to their concerns without judgment, and responding to their needs with kindness and thoughtful consideration.

What is the core value of compassion in nursing? ›

Its purpose is to get the feelings of others, to unite with others, and to express the nurse's understanding of the patient's sensation. It is an intrinsic characteristic of humans. One of the compassionate-based caring behaviors in nurses is patient support based on presence alongside the patient and family.

How to provide compassionate support? ›

Examples of support provided in a way that is compassionate:
  1. Taking a genuine interest in and respecting an individual's views and perspectives.
  2. Ensuring an individual has sufficient time to process information you have given them before responding or making a decision.

What is an example of compassion in a nursing interview? ›

In a nursing interview, to showcase compassionate care and patient advocacy, share a personal story where you went above and beyond for a patient. Describe how you listened to their concerns, empathized with their situation, and took action to ensure their comfort and well-being.

What is an example of how you have demonstrated compassion? ›

Compassion is when you relate to someone's situation, and you want to help them. You see someone in trouble, and you feel like pitching in. For example, you might help someone pick up their groceries if they dropped their shopping basket on the floor.

How to be more patient and compassionate? ›

How to be more patient: 10 ways to cultivate patience in your daily life
  1. Look for small opportunities to practice patience. ...
  2. Practice mindfulness. ...
  3. Shift your perspective. ...
  4. Accept what's out of your control. ...
  5. Be kind to yourself. ...
  6. Remember what matters most to you. ...
  7. Develop a meditation practice.
Oct 18, 2023

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