Stress, burnout and compassionate fatigue are increasingly prominent in the healthcare workplace. Here, Elaine Bramhall, RN, and Claire Green, MBBS, MRCP, Bsc, both of the The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK, discuss whether effective communication can help to build resilience and coping skills. This interview took place at the UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) 2018 Annual Conference, in Glasgow, UK.