Concept Analysis: Compassion Fatigue
Running head: COMPASSION FATIGUE
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Compassion Fatigue: A Concept Analysis
A Paper Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for NU 506 Theoretical Foundations of
The practice of nursing is synonymous with the concepts of empathy, compassion, nurturing, and caring. In the last two decades, a global nursing shortage has developed, leading to a phenomenon in nursing never seen before; the delivery of nursing care without nurturing. Increased workloads, higher patient acuity, deficient resources, and inadequate support systems, have all contributed to the decreased job satisfaction that has left nurses unable to display the compassion that was once a unique quality of nurses (Hooper, Craig, Janvrin, Wetsel, &
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Reimels, 2010). The identification of Comapassion Fatigue (CF) resulting in numerous research studies and work to define the concept. The following analysis will define the concept of CF, explain the unique attributes of the concept through a literature review of current nursing research, and provide models to further demonstrate examples of compassion fatigue The Significance of Compassion Fatigue High levels of patient satisfaction are result from high quality compassionate nursing care; a level of care that can only be delivered in the presence of adequate staffing levels, resources, and supportive personnel (Halm, et al, 2008). Unfortunately, the current American health care industry’s focus on profits over patients, creates hospitals that act like business’ more than sanctuaries of healing, resulting in low patient satisfaction and low job satisfaction of practicing nurses (Austin, Goble, Leier, & Burne, 2009). Nurses account for the largest percentage of healthcare professional within the acute care setting, provide the most direct patient care, and have the power to significantly improve patient outcomes. With resources stretched to the limits, nurses have been forced to reduce the holistic care that has been a pillar of
1
Compassion Fatigue: A Concept Analysis
A Paper Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for NU 506 Theoretical Foundations of
The practice of nursing is synonymous with the concepts of empathy, compassion, nurturing, and caring. In the last two decades, a global nursing shortage has developed, leading to a phenomenon in nursing never seen before; the delivery of nursing care without nurturing. Increased workloads, higher patient acuity, deficient resources, and inadequate support systems, have all contributed to the decreased job satisfaction that has left nurses unable to display the compassion that was once a unique quality of nurses (Hooper, Craig, Janvrin, Wetsel, &
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Reimels, 2010). The identification of Comapassion Fatigue (CF) resulting in numerous research studies and work to define the concept. The following analysis will define the concept of CF, explain the unique attributes of the concept through a literature review of current nursing research, and provide models to further demonstrate examples of compassion fatigue The Significance of Compassion Fatigue High levels of patient satisfaction are result from high quality compassionate nursing care; a level of care that can only be delivered in the presence of adequate staffing levels, resources, and supportive personnel (Halm, et al, 2008). Unfortunately, the current American health care industry’s focus on profits over patients, creates hospitals that act like business’ more than sanctuaries of healing, resulting in low patient satisfaction and low job satisfaction of practicing nurses (Austin, Goble, Leier, & Burne, 2009). Nurses account for the largest percentage of healthcare professional within the acute care setting, provide the most direct patient care, and have the power to significantly improve patient outcomes. With resources stretched to the limits, nurses have been forced to reduce the holistic care that has been a pillar of
References: Adams, K.C., Boscarino, J., Figley, C.R. (2004). Compassion fatigue following the September 11 terrorist attacks: A study of secondary trauma among New York City health workers. International Journal of Emergency Mental Health. 6(2), 1-9 Austin, W., Goble, E., Leier, B. & Byrne, P. (2009). Compassion Fatigue: The Experience of Nurses. Ethics and Social Welfare, 3(2), 195-214. doi:10.1080/17496530902951988 Blackburn, W., & Mayer, R. (2008). Compassion fatigue: the high cost of caring... CANN 8 Scientific Sessions June 18-20, 2008. Canadian Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 30(1), 11. Bush, N. (2009). Compassion fatigue: are you at risk?. Oncology Nursing Forum, 36(1), 24-28. Figley, C. (2002). Compassion fatigue: Psychotherapists ' chronic lack of self care. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 58(11):1433-1441. DOI: 10.1002/jclp.10090. Halm, M., Peterson, M., et al. (2005). Hospital Nurse Staffing and Patient Mortality, Emotional Exhaustion, and Job Dissatisfaction. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 19(5), 241-251. Garretson, S. (2004). Nurse to patient ratios in American health care. Nursing Standard. 19, 1416. Hooper, C., Craig, J., Janvrin, D., Wetsel, M., & Reimels, E. (2010). Compassion satisfaction, burnout, and compassion fatigue among emergency nurses compared with nurses in other selected inpatient specialties. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 36(5), 420-427. Kearney, M.K., Radhule, B., Weininger, M.L., Vachon, et al. (2009). Journal of the American Medical Association. 301(11): 1155-1164. Doi:10.1001/jama.2009.352) Knobloch Coetzee, S., & Klopper, H.C. (2010). Compassion fatigue within nursing practice: A concept analysis. Nursing and Health Science, 12, 235-243. doi: 10.1111/j.14422018.2010.00526.x Oxford. (2008). Pocket American Dictionary of Current English. Oxford: Oxford University Press.