Compassion fatigue, burnout and compassion satisfaction among emergency nurses: A path analysis

To verify a hypothesized model of the relationships between compassion fatigue, burnout and compassion satisfaction, as well as their influencing factors and consequences, among emergency nurses.

A descriptive, cross-sectional design.

A hypothesized model was proposed on the basis of the current literature. A convenience sample was conducted of nurses working in the emergency departments of six hospitals in Shanghai, China, from July to September 2020. A total of 445 valid data points were collected using various self-designed and well-validated instruments. Descriptive statistics and correlations were computed, and a path analysis was used to assess model fitness and to investigate direct and indirect effects.

The final model reported a desirable fit with significant paths. Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue directly and inversely affected burnout, and compassion satisfaction positively influenced compassion fatigue. Perceived social support directly improved compassion satisfaction and protected against compassion fatigue. Compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue directly affected mental health, and burnout directly influenced physical health. Compassion fatigue, burnout and compassion satisfaction had complicated effects on turnover intention.

Emergency nurses' compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue may be two coexisting constructs, and both affect burnout. Perceived social support acts as a protector of the three dimensions, and their effects on health status and turnover intention can be significant and complicated.

Emergency nurses may experience high levels of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue simultaneously, which can help to explain why compassion fatigue did not directly increase emergency nurses' turnover intention. The direct effects of compassion fatigue and burnout on emergency nurses' health status and working engagement were significantly different. Support from significant others, professional psychological intervention and emergency nursing system reforms are required to tackle emergency nurses' compassion fatigue and burnout and improve their compassion satisfaction.