Abstract

<p>Amid the increasing demand for healthcare professionals, nurses are at the forefront, facing elevated turnover rates. The emotional labor inherent in nursing, coupled with the strains of everyday life, often leads to empathy fatigue, a significant contributor to nurse burnout. Nurses' prolonged interactions with patients and their inherent empathy may stem from their perception of the ideal nurse, which is rooted in their undergraduate education. Self-compassion, the ability to treat oneself with kindness and compassion, has emerged as a vital skill for preserving nurses' mental health. This study delves into the role of self-compassion in nursing, emphasizing its three facets: self-kindness, a sense of common humanity, and mindfulness. Self-compassion has shown promise in reducing negative emotions, catastrophic thinking, depression, anxiety, and stress among healthcare professionals, promoting mental well-being. Recognizing the potential for self-compassion to mitigate empathy fatigue and burnout among nurses is crucial. In light of the global demand for healthcare workers, this research explores the critical role of self-compassion in maintaining nurses' mental health, offering potential strategies for fostering this self-kindness within the nursing community.</p>