Trauma and healing: You can't pour from an empty cup

The often unspoken truth is that many of us entered this profession already carrying invisible wounds. Some of us grew up in homes affected by trauma, whether that was neglect, abuse, domestic violence, or loss. We learned to read a room quickly, to anticipate needs, to be caregivers before we even knew we were. It’s no coincidence that many nurses come from difficult pasts; nursing often feels like a calling for those who know what it’s like to suffer and want to help others through it.

Like me, you might have stepped into this demanding profession without having acknowledged your own trauma.  Do you find yourself overwhelmed, triggered, or emotionally drained in ways you don’t fully understand? We might take on too much, tolerate abusive behaviour from patients or co-workers, or feel guilt when we try to set boundaries. These are not just “stressful workdays” they can be signs of vicarious trauma, burnout, or post-traumatic stress resurfacing under pressure.

Unhealed trauma doesn’t disappear just because we focus on someone else’s pain. In fact, the constant exposure to suffering in healthcare can reopen wounds we’ve buried for years. That’s why healing isn’t optional, it's essential. It is necessary if we want to offer compassionate care without burning ourselves out in the process. By talking openly about your experiences with a qualified Mental Health practitioner you allow yourself a space to heal.

Nurses need support to process trauma, because healing is essential to sustain compassionate and safe care. Healing doesn’t mean we erase the past but it means we stop letting it control our present. It means finding safe spaces to debrief, accessing professional support if needed, building self-awareness, and practicing self-compassion. Healing allows us to show up for our patients with empathy that doesn’t come at the cost of our own health.