Date
3-2021
Department
School of Nursing
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Chair
Cynthia Goodrich
Keywords
Compassion Fatigue
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing
Recommended Citation
Williams, Barbara Fulcher, "Does the Management of Compassion Fatigue in the Healthcare Setting Decrease Nurse Turnover: An Integrative Review" (2021). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 2840.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/2840
Abstract
Healthcare systems are rapidly changing and with the increased age of the baby boomers, and shortage of nurses, and COVID-19, there is a rapid growth in compassion fatigue within the nursing community. More than 22% of nurses in direct patient care roles report experiencing emotional exhaustion. This results in negative consequences, reduced productivity, workplace violence, and poor patient care. Does the management of compassion fatigue in the healthcare setting decrease nurse turnover? This was an integrative review of the literature, utilizing 15-20 articles using Melnyk framework for evaluation. The variables addressed included the emotional state with negative psychological and physical consequences from acute and prolonged caregiving that involved care of people with intense trauma, suffering or misfortune. It included the in-hospital nursing population and the interventions to promote nurse retention. Findings show that management and health authorities need to care in a holistic approach; offer times of comfort, consultation and support, provide time to grieve and provide physical and psychological help when needed. Education can benefit all nurses, from the student to the most experienced. Future research should be directed at identifying the causes of compassion fatigue, the impact of support groups on providers, and developing education programs to mitigate the prevalence and severity of compassion fatigue.
