Differences in Compassion Satisfaction, Compassion Fatigue, and Work Environment Factors by Hospital Registered Nurse Type

Patients and families desire compassionate care from healthcare providers. In today’s healthcare environment, challenges exist for all providers, including nurses, with balancing the delivery of consistent, compassionate care and maintaining a professional quality of life (QOL) that incorporates overall wellness and a healthy work environment. A literature review indicated no available research related to compassion satisfaction and fatigue and work environment by RN type. The aims of this study were to quantify differences in compassion satisfaction (CS) and compassion fatigue (CF) scores, including burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS), by four registered nurse (RN) employment-types and to study work environment factors. Our methods included a survey of a random sample (n = 208) of RNs by type. Study results indicated that significant differences existed by RN type for CF (burnout and STS) scores; nurse leaders had the most CF and other nurses the least. Significant differences also existed for some shared governance activities and workplace violence measures. Our discussion concludes that opportunities exist for evaluation of interventions for healthier work environments, particularly for nurse leaders, including supporting shared governance activities for all RN types, as well as zero-tolerance for workplace violence.