Relationship Between Stress of Conscience and Compassion Fatigue in Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Private Hospital.

AIM: This study aimed to examine the relationship between stress of conscience and compassion fatigue among nurses.

DESIGN

This study was a cross-sectional and descriptive study.

METHODS

The research was cross-sectional and descriptive in nature and was conducted between 16 September 2022, and 15 November 2022. The population of the study consists of 120 nurses working in a private hospital in Istanbul. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS program. For sociodemographic variables, the t-test and ANOVA tests were used for normally distributed data, while the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied for non-normally distributed data. Since the data showed a normal distribution, correlation analyses were conducted using the Pearson correlation coefficient, and regression analysis was utilized to assess the effect of the data in the study.

RESULTS

A positive relationship was found between stress of conscience and compassion fatigue among nurses. Stress of conscience was also significantly associated with occupational burnout and secondary trauma.

CONCLUSION

The study found a positive, moderate-level relationship between stress of conscience and compassion fatigue among nurses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The study's findings reveal a positive relationship between stress of conscience and compassion fatigue among nurses; therefore, nurses' workloads could be reduced and their work made more visible through the development of new strategies.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Only nurses were included in this study. There was no patient involvement in this study.

IMPACT: This study highlights the relationship between stress of conscience and compassion fatigue. Based on the research findings, supportive interventions can be implemented by taking into account the workload and emotional strain experienced by nurses.

REPORTING METHOD: This study was reported in accordance with the STROBE guidelines.