Compassion fatigue among nurses in neonatal intensive care units

Abstract

Abstract Background Nurses in the neonatal intensive care units face continuous emotional demands as they care for critically ill infants and support distressed families. Repeated exposure to trauma and parental grief can lead to compassion fatigue – a state of emotional exhaustion that reduces the ability to empathize. The purpose of the study was to explore how nurses experience compassion fatigue while working in neonatal intensive care units. Methods Qualitative, exploratory design. Eleven individual interviews with nurses and nurse specialists were conducted in August and September in 2023, at three neonatal intensive care units in three different hospitals in Norway. The reflexive thematic analysis described by Braun and Clark was used to analyze the findings. COREQ guidelines were used to ensure the quality of the reported data. Results Two main themes with sub-themes reflecting the nurses` experiences were revealed. Theme 1: “The Voice of Compassion fatigue”, with sub-themes: “A double burden of care” and “The Silent Stray of Responsibility”, and Theme 2: “Perceived Consequences of Compassion Fatigue”, with sub-theme: “Reaching the Bottom of the Container of Care”. Perceived consequences affect the nurses physically and mentally and jeopardize their patient and private relationships. Conclusion Neonatal Nurses experience compassion fatigue due to emotional strain and the hidden burden of caring for critically ill infants and their families. This may lead to physical and psychological exhaustion, affecting both patient care and personal life. These findings highlight the need for systematic support to safeguard nurses’ emotional well-being. Trial and protocol registration Not applicable.

Keywords

• Compassion fatigue
• Qualitative research
• Intensive care units, neonatal
• Intensive care, neonatal
• Neonatal intensive care nursing