Debriefing for nurses

Pieter le Roux highlights why oncology nurses need to cool down to stay warm.

There is something about winter that brings rest to the soul. The thought of warm food, precious times with family and friends, and, of course, that special moment of sitting before a crackling fireplace. In the cold months, we all seek out that source of heat and light.

This isn’t intended to be a lecture or another item on your already overloaded to-do list. I don’t want to add more stress. Rather, I want to bring a sense of warmth to a topic often viewed as necessary admin: debriefing.

The sauna without a door

Let’s be honest, the oncology environment isn’t a normal workplace. Most nurses didn’t end up there by accident; it’s a calling. You carry a deep love and passion for patients and families going through their darkest hours.

However, this passion can sometimes be overshadowed by the reality of the environment. Working in oncology is like sitting in a sauna. Initially, the heat is bearable, even therapeutic, but if you never leave the room to cool down, the heat eventually becomes stifling. Research confirms  that up to 60% of oncology nurses¹ experience high levels of emotional exhaustion.

Debriefing is that moment when you push open the sauna door. It’s the opportunity to breathe normal air for a moment and regain perspective before re-entering the intense heat of the clinic.

Who stokes the fire of the locomotive?

Nurses are the heartbeat of any oncology practice. They are the ones stoking the fire of the locomotive to keep the entire train moving. And that requires enormous energy on so many levels:

• Emotional weight: Those moments when a patient looks you deep in the eyes and asks, “Am I going to be okay?”
• Administrative burden: The constant juggling of scripts, authorisations, and arrangements.
• Long haul: Oncology isn’t a quick week-long procedure; it’s a long-term relationship from diagnosis through treatment. You become deeply invested in people’s lives.

Debriefing is the time when you ask yourself: “What do I need to keep this fire burning without burning out myself?” It’s the place where you go to find your own flame again.

You are not a machine

Sometimes you may treat yourself like a machine that just needs a little oil or fuel to keep running. But you’re not a machine; you’re a human being  working in unique and often traumatic circumstances.

In a debriefing session, you get the chance to reflect, not just on the trauma or losses, but also on the successes. It’s a space to celebrate the impact you’ve made on someone’s life. It’s the place where nurses hear each other’s stories, learn from one another, and carry the burden of this illness together.

An invitation to the firelight

What could be helpful, especially in  the oncology environment, is affirmation: affirmation of what you do, why you do it, and affirmation of each other. In your next debrief, leave the heat of the workload behind for a moment, take the space to breathe again, and find the warmth of your colleagues’ support and look them in the eye and share these truths:

• You’re more than enough.
• You’re doing your best.
• I’m here for you, and I know that you’re there for me.
• I see you, because you matter.

By speaking these words, you acknowledge the unique human being behind the uniform, ensuring you all leave the room with a renewed fire in your hearts. And if you need to hear it today: I see you.

 If you’re in need of debriefing, please contact: LifeLine or SADAG.

Pieter le Roux, a counsellor with more than a decade of experience in the oncology field, is the founder of Pivot Point Cancer Support. He is dedicated to providing specialised psychosocial care, helping both patients and their families navigate the emotional and practical challenges of a cancer diagnosis.

Header image by Freepik