There is a growing interest in the phenomenon of compassion fatigue (CF) and its

impact on healthcare providers; however its impact on neonatal nurses is basically

unknown.  Literature review demonstrated that the risk of compassion fatigue has been

identified in emergency/trauma, hospice and pediatric nurses who care for chronically ill

patients. Neonatal nurses deliver similar care to neonates who die or have lengthy

hospital stays. The repetitive emotional strain of caring for critically ill neonates is a

stressor that could put neonatal nurses at risk for developing compassion fatigue.  This

study investigated the level of risk of compassion fatigue in neonatal nurses and the

relationships between resuscitation of infants, bereavement care, overtime hours and the

level of risk of compassion fatigue. A quantitative, descriptive, correlational design was

used to categorize information and determined the relationship of the variables with the

level of risk of compassion fatigue in neonatal nurses. The Adaptation Model of Callista

Roy was used as the theoretical framework. The ProQOL R-IV tool was used to

categorize the level of risk for compassion fatigue in neonatal nurses. A demographic

questionnaire developed by the researchers focused on work related experiences. A total

of 30 surveys were randomly distributed with a response mail return rate of 80%. Nurses

(n=24) from a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Northeast Ohio participated

in the study.

Findings revealed that 50% of NICU nurses (n=24) had no knowledge of compassion

fatigue, while 21% are at the high level of risk for compassion fatigue. The most interesting

information gained from the research was the correlation between the number of bereavement

sessions provided and the level of CF risk in the neonatal nurse. A strong positive relationship

was discovered at (r = .99, p>.01).  This relationship demonstrates a statistically significant

relationship that warrants further research and development of risk reduction strategies.

The researchers’ review of literature revealed that work related variables such as these have

stressful effects on nurses, which can lead to compassion fatigue. In Abendroth and

Flannery (2006), Hospice nurses were identified as an at risk group with 26% of the nurses at

the high level of risk for compassion fatigue. This study of neonatal nurses demonstrated 21%

of the nurses were identified as an at risk group in the high level of risk for compassion

fatigue. 

CF has emerged as a natural consequence of the daily caring for chronic or critically ill

and end of life patients. NICU nurses are not exempt from this phenomenon. The key implication

for practice is to educate nurses about compassion fatigue and proactively manage it in order to

prevent personal and professional costs of caring. Knowledge of stress related variables may

help healthcare organizations identify nurses at risk and provide intervention strategies to maintain

healthy outcomes for nurses. Stress relieving interventions can decrease absenteeism, stress

related illnesses and potential loss of nurses in the workforce.