Compassion Fatigue in Acute Care Nurses

Purpose:
The purpose of this project was to implement a program aimed at promoting a healthy work environment. Three categories of interventions (work/life balance, physical and emotional) were identified in the literature that recognizes and addresses compassion fatigue.

Significance:
Nurses are at high risk for compassion fatigue and burnout. Meeting the needs of patients and families facing life-threatening or end-of-life illnesses requires physical energy, mental focus, and compassion in every interaction. Very few interventions to address compassion fatigue are reported.

Strategy and Implementation:
An 8-week pilot intervention was conducted with the RN staff on an acute neuroscience unit. Addressing compassion fatigue, through work/life balance education and environmental programs, were incorporated into this study. Nurses were trained to recognize symptoms in themselves and co-workers and how to provide support by creating a safe milieu for communication and defusing. A “buddy plan” was adopted to encourage staff to de-stress. Physical exercise was incorporated in the daily work routine. The overall environment was enhanced to create a relaxing oasis. Meditation techniques were taught with space provided in a respite room to allow staff to recharge. A pre/post survey was used to measure the effectiveness of the program. Tools included the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) evaluating compassion fatigue, satisfaction and burnout and the Life Balance Scale measuring the emotional, physical, social, spiritual and overall life balance.

Evaluation:
Data were analyzed using paired t-test. Overall Life Balance was significantly more positive (p<.05) post-test. Additionally staff verbalized enhanced relationships with co-workers and improved job enjoyment.

Implications for Practice:
Unit-based interventions can be effective in assisting nurses with strategies to maintain healthy life balance. This program contributed to compassion satisfaction and a healthy work environment. Requests to extend the interventions to other units have been made.