Compassion Fatigue and the Healthy Work Environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesly Kelly ◽  
Michael Todd
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
American Association ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Compassion Satisfaction ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Healthy Work Environment ◽  
Healthy Work

Background:Burnout is a concern for critical care nurses in high-intensity environments. Studies have highlighted the importance of a healthy work environment in promoting optimal nurse and patient outcomes, but research examining the relationship between a healthy work environment and burnout is limited.Objective:To examine how healthy work environment components relate to compassion fatigue (eg, burnout, secondary trauma) and compassion satisfaction.Methods:Nurses (n = 105) in 3 intensive care units at an academic medical center completed a survey including the Professional Quality of Life and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ Healthy Work Environment standards.Results:Regression models using each Healthy Work Environment component to predict each outcome, adjusting for background variables, showed that the 5 Healthy Work Environment components predicted burnout and that meaningful recognition and authentic leadership predicted compassion satisfaction.Conclusions:Findings on associations between healthy work environment standards and burnout suggest the potential importance of implementing the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ Healthy Work Environment standards as a mechanism for decreasing burnout.

Changing the Work Environment in Intensive Care Units to Achieve Patient-Focused Care: The Time Has Come

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 541-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen McCauley ◽  
Richard S. Irwin
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
American Association ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Healthy Work ◽  
Healthy Work Environments

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments and the American College of Chest Physicians Patient-Focused Care project are complementary initiatives that provide a road map for creating practice environments where interdisciplinary, patient-focused care can thrive. Healthy work environments are so influential that failure to address the issue would result in deleterious effects for every aspect of acute and critical care practice. Skilled communication and true collaboration are crucial for transforming work environments. The American College of Chest Physicians project on patient-focused care was born out of a realization that medicine as currently practiced is too fragmented, too focused on turf battles that hinder communication, and too divorced from a real understanding of what patients expect and need from their healthcare providers. Communication as well as continuity and concordance with the patients’ wishes are foundational premises of care that is patient-focused and safe. Some individuals may achieve some level of genuine patient-focused care even when they practice in a toxic work environment because they are gifted communicators who embrace true collaboration. At best, most likely those efforts will be hit-or-miss and such heroism will be impossible to sustain if the environment is not transformed into a model that reflects standards and initiatives set out by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the American College of Chest Physicians. Other innovative models of care delivery remain unreported. The successes and failures of these models should be shared with the professional community.

The Relationship Between Critical Care Work Environment and Professional Quality of Life

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marissa Monroe ◽  
Elizabeth Morse ◽  
Joseph M. Price
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Authentic Leadership ◽  
Compassion Satisfaction ◽  
Professional Quality Of Life ◽  
Healthy Work Environment ◽  
Professional Quality ◽  
Healthy Work

Background Professional quality of life is the quality a person feels in relation to work. For critical care nurses, it is composed of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Professional quality of life is affected by work environment. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has identified 6 standards for a healthy work environment. Objective To explore which of the AACN healthy work environment standards have the strongest impact on professional quality of life in critical care nurses. Methods In an exploratory, cross-sectional survey of nurses working in 4 adult critical care units of a single health care facility, professional quality of life was assessed using the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL), and work environment was evaluated using the AACN Healthy Work Environment Assessment Tool. Results Participants reported compassion satisfaction and burnout levels as average and secondary traumatic stress levels as high. The composite average for all 6 AACN healthy work environment standards was good. A multiple regression analysis revealed true collaboration, effective decision-making, and authentic leadership as significant predictors of compassion satisfaction. Authentic leadership was the only predictor of burnout. Appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, and authentic leadership were predictors of secondary traumatic stress. Conclusion Authentic leadership is the strongest predictor of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. Therefore, improving leadership should be a priority in intensive care units seeking to improve nurses’ professional quality of life.

Nurse Managers Leading the Way: Reenvisioning Stress to Maintain Healthy Work Environments

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e7
Author(s):  
Kimberly Dimino ◽  
Amy E. Learmonth ◽  
Christiam C. Fajardo
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Nurse Managers ◽  
American Association ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
The Real ◽  
Experience Of Stress ◽  
Healthy Work ◽  
Healthy Work Environments

Background Stress among nurses is well documented, and in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, it has reached record highs. Problem Under normal conditions, nurse managers and frontline nurses face stressors that come with the territory of their profession, but the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has greatly added to their burden. Nurse managers are being called not only to help their organizations manage the crisis operationally, but also to help the nurses they supervise mentally, emotionally, and even ethically. Discussion This article provides recommendations for how nurse managers can use the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Healthy Work Environment standards and make the experience of stress more productive. Conclusion Stress comes with the territory in nursing, but nurses can work together to make stress their ally and not their enemy. The real enemies are coronavirus disease 2019, burnout, and the aftermath of uncontrolled stress. When nurses keep stress in perspective and focus on what they can control, they contribute to developing healthier work environments.

scholarly journals Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Critical Care Nurses

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 32-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara L. Sacco ◽  
Susan M. Ciurzynski ◽  
Megan Elizabeth Harvey ◽  
Gail L. Ingersoll
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Compassion Satisfaction ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Professional Quality Of Life ◽  
Professional Quality ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale

BACKGROUNDAlthough critical care nurses gain satisfaction from providing compassionate care to patients and patients’ families, the nurses are also at risk for fatigue. The balance between satisfaction and fatigue is considered professional quality of life.OBJECTIVESTo establish the prevalence of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue in adult, pediatric, and neonatal critical care nurses and to describe potential contributing demographic, unit, and organizational characteristics.METHODSIn a cross-sectional design, nurses were surveyed by using a demographic questionnaire and the Professional Quality of Life Scale to measure levels of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction.RESULTSNurses (n = 221) reported significant differences in compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue on the basis of sex, age, educational level, unit, acuity, change in nursing management, and major systems change.CONCLUSIONSUnderstanding the elements of professional quality of life can have a positive effect on work environment. The relationship between professional quality of life and the standards for a healthy work environment requires further investigation. Once this relationship is fully understood, interventions to improve this balance can be developed and tested.

scholarly journals Critical Care Nurse Work Environments 2018: Findings and Implications

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Ulrich ◽  
Connie Barden ◽  
Linda Cassidy ◽  
Natasha Varn-Davis
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
Care Nurse ◽  
Critical Care Nurse ◽  
Healthy Work Environment ◽  
Healthy Work ◽  
Nurse Outcomes

BACKGROUNDThe health of critical care nurse work environments affects patient and nurse outcomes. The results of the 2018 Critical Care Nurse Work Environment Study are reported here with comparisons to previous studies and recommendations for continued improvement.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the current state of critical care nurse work environments.METHODSAn online survey was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data for this mixed-methods study. A total of 8080 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) members and constituents responded to the survey.RESULTSThe health of critical care nurse work environments has improved since the previous study in 2013; however, there are still areas of concern and opportunities for improvement. Key findings include documented absence of appropriate staffing by more than 60% of participants; an alarming number of physical and mental well-being issues (198 340 incidents reported by 6017 participants); one-third of the participants expressed intent to leave their current positions in the next 12 months; and evidence of the positive outcomes of implementing the AACN Healthy Work Environment standards.CONCLUSIONEvidence of the relationship between healthy nurse work environments and patient and nurse outcomes continues to increase. The results of this study provide evidence of the positive relationship between implementation of the AACN Healthy Work Environment standards and the health of critical care nurse work environments, between the health of critical care nurse work environments and job satisfaction, and between job satisfaction and the intent of critical care nurses to leave their current positions or stay.

Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Critical Care Nurses in Iran

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedigheh Salimi ◽  
Vahid Pakpour ◽  
Azad Rahmani ◽  
Marian Wilson ◽  
Hossein Feizollahzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Compassion Satisfaction ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Professional Quality Of Life ◽  
Professional Quality

Introduction: This study investigated the relationship between compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among Iranian nurses working in critical care units. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive survey using the Professional Quality of Life instrument was administered to 400 nurses working in the intensive care units of Iranian hospitals. Results: High risk levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress existed among 42% and 96% of participants, respectively. Significant positive relationships were detected between burnout and secondary traumatic stress. An inverse relationship was detected between measures of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction. Discussion: To ensure culturally congruent care, it is important to evaluate professional quality of life within the context of specific cultures and societies. Iranian critical care nurses are at risk for burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Personal self-care and organizational wellness approaches that consider cultural norms should be designed to boost compassion satisfaction and reduce negative effects of stressful work environments.

scholarly journals Burnout and Compassion Satisfaction: Survey Findings of Healthcare Employee Wellness During COVID-19 Pandemic using ProQOL

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 121-127
Author(s):  
Meagan Dwyer ◽  
Marcus Alt ◽  
Joanna Brooks ◽  
Hannah Katz ◽  
Albert Poje
Keyword(s):  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Compassion Satisfaction ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Healthcare Employees

Introduction. Healthcare systems are being bombarded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding burnout, compassion fatigue, and potential protective factors, such as compassion satisfaction, will be important in supporting the vital healthcare workforce. The goal of the current study was to understand the key factors of burnout, compassion fatigue, and compassion satisfaction among healthcare employees during the pandemic within the U.S. in April 2020. Methods. The authors conducted a single-center, cross-sectional online survey using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Questionnaire and three open-ended questions around stress and responses to stress during COVID-19 at a large Midwestern academic medical center with nearly 16,000 employees.    Results. Healthcare employees (613) representing over 25 professions or roles and 30 different departments within the health system were surveyed. Participants reported low levels of compassion fatigue and burnout, but moderate levels of compassion satisfaction. Compassion satisfaction was notably higher than prior literature. Key areas of stress outside of work included family, finances and housing, childcare and homeschooling, and personal health.  Conclusions. This was a cross-sectional survey, limiting causal analyses. Also, based on the qualitative responses, the ProQOL was somewhat insufficient in assessing the breadth of stressors, particularly outside of work, that healthcare employees faced due to the pandemic. Although compassion satisfaction was elevated during the initial phases of the pandemic, providing some possible protection against burnout, this may change as COVID-19 continues to surge. Healthcare systems are encouraged to assess and address the broad range of work and non-work-related stressors to best serve their vital workforce.

scholarly journals Compassion Fatigue in Critical Care Nurses: An Educational Quality Improvement Project

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Teixeira
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Secondary Traumatic Stress ◽  
Compassion Satisfaction ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Quality Improvement Project ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Educational Session

Compassion fatigue is estimated to affect 40% percent of the 2.9 million registered nurses in the United States. There exists a critical need to explore how nurses understand compassion fatigue, how they identify it in self and others, and what strategies they enact to lessen the eventual threats to health. With the current COVID pandemic, along with the high intensity nature of the intensive care unit (ICU), critical care nurses are vulnerable to the symptoms and side effects of compassion fatigue. This quality improvement project evaluated the impact of an educational session on compassion fatigue and self-care in relation to critical care nurses’ perceived levels of compassion fatigue. Pre education session and post educational session Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL-5) survey measuring perceived levels of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, were administered to a sample of critical care nurses in a community hospital in Massachusetts. The educational session was conducted via a virtual audio-enabled PowerPoint presentation. Pre and post education scores were assessed between time points to determine if the education was successful at decreasing perceived level of compassion fatigue. Post ProQOL scores presented a 6.76% increase in level compassion satisfaction, 3.28% decrease in level of burnout, and an 8.66% decrease in level of secondary traumatic stress. This project illustrates the potential for targeted education with critical care nurses as a vulnerable group who experience higher levels of compassion fatigue as a group. Strategies to reduce the effects of compassion fatigue have the potential to improve mental and emotional health essential for continual safe patient care with more positive outcomes in the critical care area.

Critical Care Nurse Work Environments 2013: A Status Report

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 64-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth T. Ulrich ◽  
Ramón Lavandero ◽  
Dana Woods ◽  
Sean Early
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
Care Nurse ◽  
Critical Care Nurse ◽  
Healthy Work ◽  
Nurse Work Environment

Background The health of critical care nurse work environments has been shown to affect patient care outcomes as well as the job satisfaction and retention of registered nurses. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Critical Care Nurse Work Environment Survey was first conducted in 2006 following the release of the AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining a Healthy Work Environment and was conducted again in 2008. This article reports the results of the third AACN Critical Care Nurse Work Environment Survey conducted in 2013. Objective To evaluate the current state of critical care nurse work environments. Methods A total of 8444 AACN members and constituents responded to an online survey. Results The overall health of critical care nurses’ work environments has declined since 2008, as have nurses’ perceptions of the quality of care. Respondents rated their overall work environment and factors associated with healthy work environments including quality of patient care, staffing, communication and collaboration, respect, physical and mental safety, moral distress, nursing leadership, support for certification and continuing education, meaningful recognition, job satisfaction, and career plans. Although some factors improved, declines in any factors are a concern. Conclusions An increasing body of evidence has shown relationships between healthy nurse work environments and patient outcomes. The results of this 2013 survey identified areas in which the health of critical care nurse work environments needs attention and care, requiring the relentless true collaboration of everyone involved.

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