Compassion Fatigue among Nurses: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

As nurses continuously facilitate care to those in need, regardless of the level and intensity of the distress and suffering the patient is experiencing, the accumulating effect of the emotional stress they encounter can compromise their own personal well-being, job satisfaction, and the standard of care they render, thereby leading to compassion fatigue. The aim of this review is to investigate the causes of compassion fatigue among nurses and to highlight strategies for mitigating or preventing its implications. Method and material: This study incorporates a qualitative systematic review of prior studies selected from reputable sources, namely CINAHL Complete, EBSCO Academic Search Elite, Medline, and PubMed databases. Thematic content analysis was used to synthesize the findings of the data. Result: Four (4) primary themes emerged as causes: Work overload and inadequate staffing, Constant exposure to traumatic events, Poor Leadership and organisational support, and Individual vulnerabilities and preventive strategies. Structural intervention, Leadership support, Education and Resiliency, and Team support with self-care routines emerged as ways in which compassion fatigue can be mitigated. These findings suggest that compassion fatigue is a phenomenon influenced by both personal and organisational aspects. Conclusion: However, compassion fatigue can be managed and prevented if needed supports such as those mentioned above are available to nurses, which ensures the quality of health care delivered and sustains an optimal well-being of the caregivers