Compassion Fatigue in Nurses

Problem: Compassion fatigue is not addressed as much as it should be which leads to significant risks for the nurse, and healthcare organization. Purpose: The purpose of this project is the determine the effect of providing compassion fatigue education and prevention strategies on nurses’ knowledge of compassion fatigue prevention strategies. Methods: This research project was a mixed methods design. Registered nurses will be provided with a presurvey, education, and a postsurvey. Education will be provided on what compassion fatigue is, the symptoms of compassion fatigue, the management of compassion fatigue, and how compassion fatigue affects others. The potential sample size will be 17 Registered Nurses on a pediatric/adult med surg unit. Pertinent Findings: It is expected that nurses’ knowledge regarding the nature of compassion fatigue and management of it will increase following educational interventions. Conclusion: By educating nurses on compassion fatigue and giving them strategies to prevent and manage compassion fatigue this will prevent the effects it has on nurses’ personal and work life as well as patient care and the healthcare organization