Working in hospice and palliative care means holding space for suffering, loss, and love. Often all in the same moment. It’s no wonder so many in this field feel stretched thin. Burnout isn’t a personal weakness; it’s a predictable consequence of caring deeply in very demanding systems. Drawing on research from the Nagoski sisters and other leading scholars, this session acknowledges burnout as both an individual and systemic phenomenon while focusing on what we can actually do to sustain ourselves within it. Through a “day in the life” case study of a hospice clinician, participants will explore how stress shows up in the body and learn to identify their own stress cycle triggers. This interactive presentation emphasizes implementation, engaging participants in evidence-based tools such as breathing, movement, self-compassion, and connection, while offering small, actionable ways to integrate these practices into daily life. Attendees will leave with practical resources and a renewed sense of empowerment to build stamina so they can continue showing up for the patients, families, and teams who rely on them, and, most importantly, for themselves.

Learning Outcomes

- Identify signs and stages of burnout and describe how both individual and systemic factors contribute to stress and compassion fatigue in hospice and palliative care settings.   - Apply research-based understanding of the stress cycle to recognize personal stress triggers and practice techniques for completing the cycle, such as breathing, movement, and self-compassion.   - Implement small, intentional actions and evidence-informed tools to foster stamina, connection, and sustained well-being in both personal and professional practice.