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Episode 60

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Published on:

15th Sep 2025

Episode 60 : Unpacking the "Big 4" - Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, Vicarious Trauma and Moral Injury with Shannon Swales - Psychologist

In this episode of the Happy Nurse Podcast, Psychologist Shannon Swales joins me to discuss the realities of burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and moral injury with a special focus on the unique risks faced by midlife women and nurses.

What We Cover in This Episode

  • How midlife transitions and caregiving roles amplify stress and burnout risk.

  • The difference between burnout, compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and moral injury.

  • Early warning signs of each phenomenon and how to recognise them before they become debilitating.

  • The systemic, cultural, and organisational factors driving emotional overload in nurses.

  • Strategies for prevention and recovery, including self care, boundary setting, and seeking professional help.

Key Takeaways

  • Burnout results from depleted resources and relentless demands.

  • Moral Injury adds a layer of emotional and ethical pain when nurses can't uphold their own standards of care due to factors outside their control.

  • Compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma impact empathy differently but can overlap with burnout and moral injury.

  • Recognising and validating the emotional cost, and seeking both systemic improvements and personal support are critical.

Action Steps for Listeners

  • If anything discussed in this episode resonates with personal experience, consider seeking dedicated resources or therapeutic support.

    • Nurse Midwife Support (free - available 24/7) - 1800 667 877
    • Nurse Midwife Health Program Australia (free - Mon - Fri, 9am -5pm) - 1800 001 060
    • Blackdog Institute - https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/the-essential-network/

  • Share knowledge with colleagues to destigmatise these very real occupational hazards.

If you are interested in working with Shannon you can contact her via her website or socials.

Website - https://www.shannonaswales.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shannon.a.swales

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/shannonaswales

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonswales/

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and experiences shared by guests on this podcast are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are seeking support for your mental health or wellbeing, we strongly encourage you to reach out to a qualified mental health professional. If you are in crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline in your area immediately.

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About the Podcast

The Happy Nurse
Winner — APAC Insider Australian Enterprise Awards 2024 | Most Empowering Self Care Provider for Nurses. Burnout, compassion fatigue, and stress are rising in healthcare. This podcast exists to change that — one practical, honest conversation at a time.
Nurses are the backbone of the health system — always there to care for a stranger as if they were one of their own, forsaking precious moments with their own families to ensure others' loved ones are in good hands.
Compassion fatigue, stress, and burnout are rising across healthcare. Self care has never been more important — or more overlooked.
Elaina Mullery McDonald RN has 25 years of clinical nursing experience, a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology, and a Master of Business Psychology in progress. She is a certified NLP Practitioner, hypnotherapist, and mindfulness practitioner — and the founder and host of The Happy Nurse podcast. Having experienced burnout firsthand, she is passionate about equipping nurses with practical, evidence-informed strategies to protect their wellbeing and sustain the career they worked so hard for.

About your host

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Elaina Mullery


Elaina Mullery RN has spent 25 years working across some of nursing's most demanding clinical environments — orthopaedic trauma, operating theatre, endoscopy, recovery, and day surgery. She knows firsthand what it feels like to run on empty, and it's that lived experience of burnout that drives everything she does.
Elaina holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology and is completing a Master of Business Psychology at Edith Cowan University. She is a certified NLP Practitioner, hypnotherapist, and mindfulness practitioner, and has developed the 3R Framework — an original evidence-based methodology for building sustainable human performance at individual, team, and organisational level.
Through The Happy Nurse podcast, her online courses, and her white paper No Margin for Error, Elaina is on a mission to change the way healthcare treats its most valuable resource — the people who show up every day to care for others.