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.