Predictors of compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction among emergency nurses: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: Challenging emergency caring situations can contribute to compassion fatigue and burnout among emergency nurses. These variables have been widely researched, although not among Chinese nurses. Pertinent findings will extend the international literature in this domain.

Aims: This study aimed to develop and test a model that delineates the predictive relationship that empathy, self-compassion, job satisfaction, individual and work-related factors share with compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were collected from 186 emergency nurses recruited from eight hospitals across six cities in China. Descriptive statistics were computed, and univariate and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted.

Results: Empathy, job satisfaction, and self-compassion explained a substantial proportion of the variance in compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. Factors related to life disruption and traumatic memories significantly predicted compassion fatigue and burnout. The final model included the following predictors: prior history of a severe illness, perspective taking, compassionate care, employee engagement, mindfulness, self-judgement, and over-identification.

Conclusions: Stress involved in providing emergency care may increase emotional and work-related burden among emergency nurses. Organisations should design interventions that nurture empathy, promote self-compassion, and improve job satisfaction to alleviate their compassion fatigue and burnout and increase compassion satisfaction.

Keywords: Burnout; Compassion fatigue; Compassion satisfaction; Cross-sectional survey; Emergency nurses; Empathy; Job satisfaction; Self-compassion.