CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2021 - 23

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G R A D U AT I O N

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C O N V O C AT I O N 2 0 2 1

Compassion
Without Fatigue
HOW TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE IN LIFE AND
NURSING By Dana Brandorff

F

or Chris Griffin that is the question she
posed during her PhD thesis presentation.
A nurse at Children's Colorado Hospital for
the past 19 years, Griffin has had her share
of intense heartache and joy. " We live these
extremes every day. They aren't fictional stories.
They become a part of our consciousness and affect
who we are, " said Griffin.
Often facing anger or fear from patients and their
families, " It can be completely draining. You build
walls of self-protection and self-preservation. Coping
with the constant intensity of what you do. "

BEING THERE DURING THE BEST AND WORST TIMES
Griffin has been there at the best and worst parts
of people's lives, including when their children are
dying. In one case, a mother handed her son to Griffin
to be with him during his last moments. " She told me
she couldn't handle it. She pleaded with me not to
leave him alone. It was heart-wrenching, but I had
to be there for both of them. "
Griffin thought she was " managing the extremes
well. " Years later, her sons told her that their father
would forewarn them when she had a bad day. " The
boys had their own secret code if it was a good night
or a bad one. If I had lost a patient, they'd be on
their best behavior. " According to Griffin, " Everyday
life has its ups and downs. " For the Griffins, it's a
little more complicated. In addition to their sons, the
couple adopted two daughters and foster parented
more than 30 children! " We have an agreement - if
we can make a difference for a kiddo for a short time,
then we should do it, " she said. " I believe I have a
responsibility to pay back all the privilege and happiness I have had in my life. "

DISCOVERING HERSELF, FINDING BALANCE, AND
NOT TAKING ON THE WORLD'S SUFFERING
At some point, something had to give. While on a
retreat with Dean Emerita, Living Legend, and Caring

The Griffins are living proof
that 'Love grows here.'

Science theorist Jean Watson, PhD, Griffin got some much-needed
perspective. Watson said, " What you're doing isn't wrong . But where
you missed the boat is that you thought you could continue without
taking care of yourself. " Watson inspired her to go back to school to
get a PhD. " She looked at me and said it's time. I applied the next week.
When Jean Watson says it, you do it! "
During Griffin's academic journey, she asked herself, " 'How can we not
just survive but thrive in what we do? And I always came back to Caring
Science, " she said. The core truths are be authentic; how you show up
with another human matters; and inviting the right consciousness and
energy gives you the capacity to be present. " Caring Science reminds
us that compassion is a choice, and it protects you. The key is finding
balance and not taking on the world's suffering, " said Griffin.

The family's " Love
Grows Here " box
holds photos and
memories of the 30+
children the Griffins
have fostered.
CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2021

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