The Emotional Cost of Caring for Others: One Pediatric Hospital's Journey to Reduce Compassion Fatigue.

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of compassion fatigue and life stress of pediatric nurses.

Background: Distressing patient situations over time may affect nurses' professional quality of life and result in compassion fatigue. If not addressed, compassion fatigue may have personal and organizational consequences.

Methods: Using a descriptive, correlational design, a convenience sample of 268 nurses completed a web-based survey.

Results: High compassion satisfaction and moderate to low burnout and secondary traumatic stress were described by 49% of participants. Education was statistically associated with burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Life stress scores were significantly associated with age, experience, organizational tenure, and professional engagement. Narrative commentary yielded 5 themes: staffing, recognition, boundaries, expectations, and hopelessness. Organizational initiatives to prevent or mitigate compassion fatigue focused on awareness, balance, and connections.

Conclusions: Nurses are negatively impacted by the emotional cost of caring. Future studies need to identify interventions to minimize compassion fatigue.