Clinical nurses' compassion fatigue psychological experience process: a constructivist grounded theory study

Abstract

Abstract Background Clinical nurses are susceptible to compassion fatigue when exposed to various types of traumatic events in patients for extended periods of time. However, the developmental process, staging, and psychological responses distinct to each stage of compassion fatigue in nurses are not fully clarified. This study aimed to explore the processes of compassion fatigue and the psychological experiences specific to each phase of compassion fatigue among clinical nurses. Methods Charmaz’s Grounded Theory Constructivist methodology was used in this qualitative research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 clinical nurses with varying degrees of compassion fatigue from December 2020 to January 2021. Interview data were analyzed using grounded theory processes. Results A core category of “The dynamic and cumulative process of compassion fatigue” emerged. Clinical nurses’ experience of compassion fatigue was developed as five processes: compassion experience period, compassion decrement period, compassion discomfort period, compassion distress period, and compassion fatigue period. Conclusion Clinical nurses who experience compassion fatigue may go through five stages that are stage-specific and predictable. The findings can shed light on local and global applications to better understand the problem of nurses' compassion fatigue. The interventions for addressing compassion fatigue in clinical nurses should be stage-specific, targeted, and individualized.