Title: Unit 4 Case Scenario
Course: Fundamentals of Behavioral Health (70 Hours with MOAB) > Section: Unit 4: Personal Empowerment, Resiliency and Self-Care

Please read the following Mini-Case Study and complete the Mini- Case Study questions.

Unit 4: Critical Thinking Mini-Case Study

Mandy has worked for the community long-term care center for last three years. Many of the patients have lived in this facility for more than 10 years.  She enjoyed her job the first two years, but this last year there has been a lot of staff turnover and a new supervisor started 3 months ago. In addition, at least half of the patients have gotten old enough to require a great deal of assistance.  Further, a memory care center for dementia patients opened and at least two shifts per week Mandy is required to take a patient care assignment.  Many of these patients are challenging to work with and some demonstrate aggressive behaviors that she has to respond to. Lately she has been feeling fatigued and in the last 6 months she has had at least two colds that took a long time to go away. When Mandy gets up in the morning, whether she is going to work or not, she feels so tired and does not spend a lot of time on nor care about her appearance like she used to. She has also found herself, particularly on the days she is working in the Memory Unit, eating more snacks when she gets home. Those cookies she buys on her way home for the kids are mostly eaten when she arrives.  Her family has complained that she has changed.  She was always so patient with them but now she yells that the kids don’t pick up after themselves and complains that her husband is always in the garage working on the cars.  Mandy is very worried about how she feels. It is so unlike her to not be upbeat and ready for anything. She is especially worried about how stressed she is at work because she “loves” the patients so much. She feels committed to helping them as much as she can.  Sometimes she stays later after her shift ends because she wants to be sure the patients have the best possible care she can give.

Mini- Case Study Questions:

1.  In your opinion, what has happened in the workplace that caused the changes in Mandy’s behaviors and attitude?  Please explain your answer.

2.  Do think Mandy has burn-out and/or compassion fatigue? Please explain your answer.

3.  What three actions steps might Mandy take to strengthen her personal empowerment and build her resiliency to manage her work environment and reduce her stress?