34 | When the Healer Is Wounded – A Nurse’s Story from the California Wildfires

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of trauma, disaster, displacement, survivor’s guilt, and medical distress, including descriptions related to wildfire evacuation, loss, and a medical emergency involving a child. Some listeners may find these topics emotionally difficult. Please listen with care and take a pause if needed._________________________________ What happens when the trauma expert becomes the trauma survivor?In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Nursing Insights, psychotherapist and psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist Donna Gaffney shares her experience living through the January 7, 2025 California wildfires in Pacific Palisades.For decades, Donna has supported children, families, nurses, and communities through some of the most devastating crises in recent history – from 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina to COVID-19. But this time was different.This time, she was in the middle of it.Donna takes us through the moment she realized she had to evacuate, the shock of displacement, the heavy weight of survivor’s guilt, and the emotional toll of returning to a neighborhood reduced to ash. She introduces the concept of “shared traumatic reality” – when healthcare providers are living through the very same disaster as the people they serve.Key TakeawaysTrauma feels different when you are inside it, not observing it.“Shared traumatic reality” occurs when healthcare providers and patients experience the same crisis.Survivor’s guilt can surface even when you did not lose everything.Healthcare professionals are not immune to destabilization during disasters.Being called “strong” is not always helpful – vulnerability matters.Community, storytelling, and meaning-making are essential for healing.Self-compassion is not optional – it is necessary.Recovery is not a return to what was, but a movement forward. Relevant LinksNew Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN): https://www.njccn.orgKristin Neff – Self-Compassion Research: https://self-compassion.orgVivek Murthy – “My Parting Prescription for America”: https://fcsinterventions.com/resources/my-parting-prescription-for-america/Suleika Jaouad: https://suleikajaouad.comMurthy, V. H. (2022). Confronting health worker burnout and well-being. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/health-worker-wellbeing-advisory.pdfand https://www.vivekmurthy.com/partingprescriptionNJ-NEW https://njnew.org/programs/virtual-schwartz-rounds/Meaningful Work Matters Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7FCvG2GBgVA66PhCks0g4rDon’t Clock Out https://www.dontclockout.org/Introspective Spaces  https://www.introspectivespaces.com/The Relentless School Nurse https://relentlessschoolnurse.com/Courageous Well-Being for Nurses: Strategies for Renewal https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12847/courageous-well-being-nurses