Nursing with compassion: what can you do?

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” - Dalai Lama

The first national batch of nursing students to be tested and tracked on their ability to show compassion will be arriving at Welsh universities this September, it has been reported in the nursing press.

This has led to a lively discussion on the pros and cons of measuring and also the degree to which other staff members should be measured.

Many responses to the article have been angry and negative about their own experiences and acknowledge that measuring students’ attitudes is the tip of the iceberg on this topic.

In the article is stated “Welsh Assembly Government nursing officer Jean White told Nursing Times: “We want nurses to possess personal attributes to do with being kind, compassionate, caring, honest and trustworthy.

“If you look at some of the most common complaints, they’re about a lack of compassion. We want to raise awareness that we value these things.”

What is compassion? Looking at various definitions on the web it can be:

• A deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering
• The humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it
• Understanding without judgment, or
• The desire to identify with or sense something of another’s experience; a precursor of caring

So, which of these will be measured, and how?

Many of us will have an idea of what we think is compassionate behaviour so perhaps that is the best place to start.

Most students will learn from their colleague and mentors so of course is it vital that all members of the team display the types of behaviours that are expected from the students. When senior nurses, medical staff and even patients are not compassionate towards each other it is a difficult job for students to remain the ‘icons of compassion’ that is expected.

As some respondents to the article have pointed out – being in a stressful environment is not the best for finding compassion, nor is having senior staff who do not set a good example.

So, what can you do?

“A compassionate person develops an eye for spotting the qualities that make each person special. Even when others are at their lowest ebb, it is possible to help them restore their self-belief by keeping a firm, clear vision of their goodness and specialities. Taking a gently encouraging approach, I must never give up on anyone.” thoughtfortoday.org.uk

1. Firstly be very clear what compassion means to you. Look for good examples of it in action. Note the people who act with compassion and model what they do.
2. Act with compassion yourself whether you feel like it or not. Starting to change the way your team interact can start with one person. You do not have to join in with the current dis-compassionate behaviour. You can be different.
3. Find others who want to change things and form a team, set some goals and take action. Be specific about what you want to see. Even in stressful conditions we can talk to each other with respect.
4. Be compassionate to yourself first. Give yourself time to relax and time out. Take breaks and have a space where you can get away from it all for a while. Focus on what is good about your workplace and team and give yourself a ‘pat on the back’ for doing things well.
5. It may be that you do not feel important or that you are not recognised. If this is the case then start to do something yourself – whatever grade you are. You can always give positive feedback to your peers, and thank others for their hard work. It only take a few seconds and can make all the difference.
6. Get some help and support if you are struggling – contact your union.