When Caring Hurts— Signs of Compassion Fatigue in Healthcare Workers
You got into healthcare because you care. But lately, showing up has felt harder. You’re exhausted, emotionally numb, or maybe snapping at patients or coworkers without meaning to. You wonder: What’s wrong with me?
Nothing. You might just be experiencing compassion fatigue - and you’re not alone.
What is Compassion Fatigue?
Compassion fatigue is the emotional and physical exhaustion that can come from caring for others, especially in high-stress or trauma-exposed environments. It’s common in healthcare, and it’s real.
Signs to Watch For
Feeling detached from patients or your work
Trouble focusing or making decisions
Emotional numbness or bursts of irritability
Dreading work even when you're not burnt out physically
Guilt for not “caring enough”
What Therapy Can Offer
A space to process what you’ve witnessed
Tools to reconnect with yourself and others
Strategies to set boundaries and protect your energy
Permission to rest without guilt
Support for Healthcare Workers in Grand Rapids
At Brave Grand Rapids, we work with healthcare professionals who are exhausted, overwhelmed, and unsure how to keep showing up. You deserve support, too. Let’s talk.
