ABSTRACT: Veterinary professionals have to constantly deliver a compassionate and sympathetic service to clients and the pets we treat. However, daily stress and lack of support in the working environment can cause the manifestation of a number of physical and psychological symptoms. Collectively, these symptoms are referred to as compassion fatigue. This can negatively impact the quality of care delivered by RVNs and could be responsible for nurses leaving the profession. A more self-nurturing and sympathetic approach must be adopted by veterinary nurses and managerial staff to reduce the impact of compassion fatigue in practice.

Author

Gemma Hunt, RVN. BSc (Hons) Veterinary Nursing and Practice Management

Gemma Hunt obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Veterinary Nursing and Practice Management at Harper Adams University. After registering in 2014, she worked for Whitecross Vets and at St Georges Veterinary Hospital in Wolverhampton before returning to Harper Adams University as a teaching assistant.

Email: ghunt@harper-adams.ac.uk

Keywords: Clinical, Compassion Fatigue 

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 32 (05) • May 2017 pp141-143

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