
Reducing Compassion Fatigue in Pediatric Nurses Using Bundled Self-Care Techniques
Submission in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice
Background: When compassion fatigue occurs, nurses have reduced capacity to empathize with others while in a caring role. This frequently is the after effect of extended exposure to the suffering of others simultaneous to extended self-sacrifice.
Local problem: Pediatric nurses have unique challenges related to compassionate nursing care and experience compassion fatigue due to extended exposure to life-limiting diagnoses and intense emotions. Nurses providing care in pediatric acute care, pediatric intermediate care, and neonatal intensive care were invited to participate in this compassion fatigue reduction project.
Methods: Volunteer project participants self-selected engagement in the project intervention. Participants completed a pre-intervention and post-implementation ProQOLv5 survey to evaluate levels of compassion fatigue in each of the participant groups evaluated. Interventions: Participants engaged in a weekly evidence-based self-care bundle including mindfulness, physical activity, creative outlets, and peers support for eight weeks. Participants were provided prompts, reminders, and suggestions aligned to the bundle each week.
Results: Twenty-nine nurses participants participated in the pre-intervention survey. The mean compassion satisfaction (CS), burnout (BO), and secondary trauma stress scores (STS) were 36, 23, and 27 respectively. Ten nurses participated in the post-intervention survey. The mean CS, BO, and STS scores were 39.3, 22.3, and 25.8 respectively.
Conclusions: The self-care bundle intervention demonstrated an increase in CS, a decrease in BO, and a decrease in STS. Nurse leaders should continue to evaluate evidence to support nurses experiencing compassion fatigue.
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Work Title | Reducing Compassion Fatigue in Pediatric Nurses Using Bundled Self-Care Techniques |
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License | No Copyright - U.S. |
Work Type | Project |
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Publication Date | 2022 |
Deposited | April 08, 2022 |
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