Compassion Fatigue Among Nurses Working in Nursing Homes: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Gerontology
• Psychology

Background:

• Compassion fatigue is a significant concern in healthcare settings.
• Nurses in long-term care facilities face unique stressors.
• Understanding nurses' experiences is vital for developing effective support strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of nurses in nursing homes concerning compassion fatigue.
• To identify the causes, consequences, and coping mechanisms related to compassion fatigue in this population.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive phenomenological study was employed.
• Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten nurses.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data.

Main Results:

• Four major themes emerged: causes, consequences, burnout, and coping with compassion fatigue.
• Compassion fatigue was found to have a profound and lasting impact on nurses' personal and professional lives.
• Nurses identified various factors contributing to and mitigating compassion fatigue.

Conclusions:

• Compassion fatigue significantly affects nurses in nursing homes.
• The development of early detection and intervention programs is essential.
• Targeted support is needed for nurses working with older adults to prevent burnout and promote well-being.