Compassion Fatigue: Exploring Early-Career Oncology Nurses' Experiences


Area of Science:

• Oncology Nursing
• Mental Health in Healthcare Professionals
• Compassion Fatigue Research

Background:

• Oncology nurses face elevated risks of compassion fatigue (CF) compared to other specialties.
• CF negatively impacts nurses' health and professional performance.
• Limited research exists on early-career oncology nurses' specific CF experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively explore the unique experiences of compassion fatigue in early-career oncology nurses.
• To identify factors contributing to CF in this population.
• To inform the development of targeted interventions.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of qualitative data.
• Open-ended interviews with five early-career inpatient oncology nurses.
• Thematic analysis of interview transcripts to identify CF themes.

Main Results:

• Nurses value patient connections but over-relating, prolonged patient stays, and high mortality rates trigger CF.
• Manifestations of CF include emotional depletion, internalizing patient suffering, preoccupation with patient deaths, and burnout.
• Physical exhaustion and hypervigilance in personal life were also reported symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Early-career oncology nurses experience significant CF related to patient care intensity and outcomes.
• Interventions should address the emotional toll and specific triggers identified.
• Further research is needed to support this vulnerable nursing group.