Compassion fatigue in nursing: A concept analysis.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Psychology
• Social Work

Background:

• Compassion fatigue (CF) is a decline in nurses' empathetic ability resulting from repeated exposure to patient suffering.
• Conceptual clarity of CF is essential for developing effective prevention and mitigation strategies at both individual and organizational levels.
• Understanding CF is crucial for maintaining nurse well-being and the quality of patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the concept of compassion fatigue within the nursing profession.
• To identify methods for preventing and mitigating compassion fatigue in nurses.

Main Methods:

• Concept analysis using Walker and Avant's method.
• Literature search from 1990 to 2017 across multiple databases (OVID, CINAHL, PsycINFO, etc.).
• Keywords included "compassion fatigue," "secondary traumatic stress," "burnout," and "nursing."

Main Results:

• Compassion fatigue affects multiple disciplines, with nurses being particularly susceptible due to high-stress environments and continuous self-giving.
• Nurses are predisposed to CF through repeated exposure to suffering, high-stress work environments, and extensive emotional labor.
• The negative consequences of CF impact nurses, patients, healthcare organizations, and the broader healthcare system.

Conclusions:

• All nurses are at risk for developing compassion fatigue.
• Prevention of CF involves establishing professional boundaries, practicing self-care, enhancing self-awareness, and implementing education on CF.
• Individual and organizational strategies are necessary for effective compassion fatigue management in nursing.