Cannibalistic Careers

By: Jennifer Case RN

The Sacrifice of Care: Lessons from Spiders and Healthcare

Did you know that African social spiders exhibit a form of “suicide care” called matriphagy, where the mother regurgitates her own bodily fluids to feed her young before ultimately allowing them to consume her entirely (Bittel, 2022)? For most readers, this torturous sacrifice may seem shocking. But for many medical professionals, it’s not just intriguing—it’s relatable.

As nurses, doctors, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals, we are rigorously trained to perform our duties to the best of our abilities. We are called to a higher obligation because we are entrusted with saving lives. When you first clock in and hold a life in your hands, your work takes on a profound meaning. It is not just a job or profession; it is a constant pursuit of resilience in the face of every challenge, for the sake of our patients.

Many of us have personal reasons that drive this commitment—whether it was sitting beside a loved one succumbing to illness, or a passion ignited by personal experience with disease or suffering. Whatever the reason, that inner drive compels us to put others before ourselves and inspires us to do great work.

The Hidden Struggles in Healthcare

Yet, there is irony in this dedication. Despite how hard-working we are, many of us fear stepping into the light, afraid to be seen or to admit our own struggles. I recently came across social media posts where healthcare workers shared the extreme challenges of working while managing personal illnesses. These posts reminded me that so many of us are afraid to speak openly about the hardships inherent in our careers.

I, too, live with chronic disorders that require me to monitor my limits carefully. Pushing beyond them can make me too sick to care for others, let alone myself. For years, I have pushed myself relentlessly—like many others—but doing so can have harmful consequences. Healthcare professionals reading this already know the risks of pushing beyond their limits.

Stress and burnout are the leading problems in our field. Stress increases cortisol, which can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, fatigue, insomnia, brain fog, and a weakened immune system (Roberts & Grubb, 2013). Stress feeds burnout, and burnout feeds stress. It’s a vicious cycle—and one that is too often normalized in healthcare.

Advocating for Self-Care in Healthcare

This is not a call to stop caring for patients or doing our jobs. Rather, it is a plea for teams, leaders, and organizations to re-examine how they support healthcare professionals at every level.

We need workplaces where team members can say, “I have a disorder, but I am still a capable nurse, physician, or technician. Hire me. I’ll show up every day, give it my all—but I also know how to care for myself. That way I can avoid burnout and continue serving patients effectively.”

Healthcare workers with chronic conditions often have a unique strength: they can empathize deeply with patients, demonstrating resilience and hope through shared experience. I have sat at bedsides, spoken to families over the phone, and even in brief moments shared my own experiences to give patients hope. As Paul wrote,

“We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Paul, 1982).

Lessons from the Spider

Many of us in healthcare are like the spider that sacrifices itself for its young. Our profession is hard, sometimes unforgiving, and it requires immense dedication. Yet, the Lord gives us hope to lean on during times of tribulation.

To my fellow healthcare workers: do not give up hope—not your own, and not the hope you share with patients, colleagues, and those around you. The passion that brought you into this field has the power to awaken and inspire those you serve. But remember to care for yourself, too. Without self-care, your flame—your ability to bring hope—can be extinguished, just as the spider ultimately sacrifices herself for her young.

References

Bittel, J. (2022, June 22). Why Some Animals Evolved to Sacrifice Themselves. National Geographic. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/why-some-animals-evolved-to-sacrifice-themselves
Paul, Apostle. (1982). The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc. (New King James Version, Study Bible, p. 1773)
Roberts, R. K., & Grubb, P. L. (2013, May 21). The Consequences of Nursing Stress and Need for Integrated Solutions: The Impact of Job Stress on Health and Safety. PubMed Central. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4664060/