Abstract
Introduction
The misuse of and addiction to opioids are a national public health crisis. The complexity
of delivering patient care in emergency departments exposes nurses to stressful work
situations with complex patient loads and increasing levels of compassion fatigue.
Emergency nurses were asked about their feelings of compassion fatigue while caring
for patients with opioid use and/or substance use disorders.
Methods
Twenty-four focus groups with emergency nurses (N = 53) at a level I trauma center were conducted in late 2019 and early 2020 are used
in this qualitative study using thematic analysis that identified 1 main theme of
compassion fatigue with 3 subthemes (nurse frustration with addicted patients, emotional
responses, and job satisfaction).
Results
Findings highlight that emergency nurses working with patients with opioid use and/or
substance use disorders are dealing with a number of negative emotional stressors
and frustrations, which in turn has increased their levels of compassion fatigue.
These nurses repeatedly expressed feelings of increasing frustration with addicted
patients, negative emotional responses, and decreasing levels of job satisfaction
as components of their compassion fatigue.
Discussion
These emergency nurses identified 3 areas to improve their compassion: improved management
support with encouragement across all work shifts, debriefing opportunities, and more
education. Fostering a high level of self-awareness and understanding of how the work
environment influences personal well-being are necessary strategies to avoid the frustrations
and negative emotional responses associated with compassion fatigue.
Key words
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Biography
Elizabeth Burgess Dowdell is a Professor; and Coordinator, Undergraduate Research, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, PA. ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9413-9393.
Biography
Sue Ellen Alderman is a Clinical Assistant Professor (retired), M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, PA.
Biography
Naja Foushee is a Registered Nurse, Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, PA.
Biography
Emily Holland is a nursing student, M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, PA. Twitter: @emilyh4929.
Biography
Elizabeth A. Reedy is an Associate Teaching Professor (retired), College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, Abington, PA.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 29, 2022
Footnotes
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Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Emergency Nurses Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
