Effects of work stress, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction on burnout in clinical nurses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of work stress, compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction on burnout in clinical nurses. Methods: The sample consisted of 268 nurses from two general hospitals located in Seoul and Gyunggi province. Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé, Pearson Correlation and Hierarchial Multiple Regression. Results: Compassion fatigue had a significant positive effect on burnout, while Compassion satisfaction had a negative effect on burnout. The explained variance for burnout was 49 % and compassion satisfaction was the most significant factor in burnout of nurses. Conclusion: The results indicate that the factors influencing nurses ' burnout are work stress, compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction. Therefore strategies to decrease work stress and compassion fatigue and to enhance compassion satisfaction for nurses are neede