The suffering of the healer.

TOPIC

The severe distress sometimes experienced by nurses in their role as healer.

PURPOSE

To identify the sources that give rise to the suffering of the healer, describe the responses of healers to their sufferings, and make recommendations on how to prepare nurses to cope with suffering.

SOURCES

The concept of the suffering of the healer is derived from the work of Erik Cassell; the framework for understanding responses to suffering from the work of Dorothy Solle.

CONCLUSION

Nurses need to be aware that practice in health care can give rise to the suffering of the healer. Nursing education and administration need to help nurses learn to cope.