The Impact of Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, and Bullying on Correctional Nurses

Multiple factors, including burnout and bullying, lead nurses to consider alternative career paths or early retirement, thereby creating a shortage of nurses. This study examined the impact of compassion fatigue, burnout, and bullying on correctional nurses. This study utilized a mixed-method approach combining quantitative correlational research and qualitative grounded theory to compare the relationships among variables, including demographics, levels of compassion fatigue, burnout, and bullying. Using SurveyMonkey, an emailed survey included the Professional Quality of Life Scale, the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised, and open-ended questions that allowed nurses to share their personal stories of bullying within the prison. There was a negative correlation between job satisfaction and burnout and a negative correlation between job satisfaction and bullying. Burnout and bullying were found to be positively correlated. Many participants reported bullying in the workplace, describing multiple instances of unprofessional behavior by coworkers and supervisors. The themes of hostile work environments, poor relationships with supervisors, and low job satisfaction were identified as impacting nurses' desire to remain in their positions. Further research is necessary to understand the relationships among burnout, compassion fatigue, and bullying among correctional nurses.