Stress and compassion fatigue in veterinary nurses in New Zealand

Over the past two decades, the influence of ‘stress’ has been extensively studied in doctors and nurses within the human healthcare system (Galantino et al, 2005; Ogińska-Bulik, 2006). The effect of ‘stress’ has also been acknowledged in similar animal-related professions such as veterinarians and veterinary nurses (Huggard and Huggard, 2008). The term ‘stress’ refers to ‘a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances’ (Lexico, n.d). Burnout, a form of stress, is a consequence of job stress such as conflict between roles, lack of expectations, or overload (Rizzo et al, 1970). This causes emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low personal accomplishment (Schaufeli et al, 1996). More recently, burnout caused by giving constant care to those with pain, trauma and suffering has resulted in a new term, ‘compassion fatigue’. This is used to describe human healthcare and veterinary care workers who have lost their ability to ‘nurture’ (Coetzee and Klopper, 2010). This can lead to workers being ineffective, apathetic, and depressed (Joinson, 1992). In the veterinary clinic setting, compassion fatigue is the emotional exhaustion from exposure to traumatic situations such as managing animal abuse cases, assisting with euthanasia or severe injury, and talking to clients or colleagues about patients (Overfield, 2012).