This is a very timely book, which provides a comprehensive and critical review of compassion in nursing from a wide range of perspectives. It will make a valuable contribution to the nursing field and should be essential reading for nursing programmes.' - Professor Lesley Baillie, Florence Nightingale Foundation Chair, London South Bank University, UK 'This book provides a refreshing gaze away from the individual nurse delivering compassionate care to the wider issues surrounding this complex topic.' Belinda Dewar, Professor of Practice Improvement, University of the West of Scotland, UK

Compassion has become a prominent issue in health policy and practice and the recommendations of the Francis Report and the Berwick Review emphasised the need for compassion in care. This timely and important text book provides a valuable resource for practicing and student nurses which examines compassion in depth, but from a real world perspective. It appreciates and discusses the emotional labour of care and the realities of practice which can make 'caring' and 'having compassion' feel like a difficult and impossible task. This is an essential guide for those seeking clarity and depth in the analysis of compassion in contemporary nursing. Whether on a pre-qualifying undergraduate degree or an experienced practitioner, this is a must-have book for anyone interested in creating a compassionate health service.

"Exploring the concept of compassion in nursing practice, this book examines compassionate care, the culture of compassion, and its connectedness with quality healthcare … The audience is nurses in all aspects of the profession: education, practice, and research. Compassion in nursing is relevant in nursing curriculum to educate and mentor students … The book is useful to nursing managers exploring a culture rich in compassionate care and meaningful support and advocacy of its nursing professionals." - Kathy M. Forrest, Doody's Book Reviews