Compassion fatigue and burnout in nurses working with chronically ill children and their families IntroductionChoosing the career path of a pediatric nurse can be exceptionally rewarding, and this involves many trials and tribulations. This research paper will discuss a pilot study conducted on compassion fatigue and burnout in nurses working with chronically ill children and their families. The objective of this study was to identify triggers, impacts, and coping strategies used by pediatric nurses to manage compassion fatigue and prevent burnout. Compassion fatigue, the natural behavior and emotional demands one experiences when helping or wanting to help a traumatized person, and burnout, the complete inability to cope with a stressor, exhaustion, and reduced sense of personal fulfillment, must be recognized, acknowledged and addressed immediately. (Maytum, Bielski Heiman, Garwick, 2004) Purpose The primary objective of this study was to analyze various types of coping strategies used by pediatric nurses to manage compassion fatigue and prevent burnout when working with affected children and their families from unique chronic conditions. The second objective was to identify different types of signs, symptoms, and triggers of compassion fatigue endured only by pediatric nurses to see if these triggers are specific to working with children with chronic conditions. With the current shortage of nurses in the United States, it is critical to find effective ways to prevent burnout and manage compassion fatigue. Nurses must be able to recognize the signs of compassion fatigue and establish a variety of coping strategies to minimize fatigue that can lead to burnout. Execution A qualitative descriptive methodology (...... middle of paper ...... symptoms and triggers of compassion fatigue. This article provides great examples of the triggers and symptoms that cause compassion fatigue. Being aware of these triggers and having adequate knowledge of coping strategies can prevent burnout support systems This article is extremely informative for a masters entering the medical field or a medical assistant with ten years of experience Works Cited Maytum,. J., Bielski Heiman, M & Garwick, A. (2004). In nurses working with children with chronic conditions and their families. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE, 18(4), 171-179.Charles, FR. (2004, February 12). www.giftfromwithin.org/html/What-is-Compassion-Fatigue-Dr-Charles-Figley.html