Compassion fatigue and cancer nurses: A national survey of cancer nurses in New Zealand
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Other Title
Authors
Gillespie, Moira
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Master of Nursing
Grantor
Eastern Institute of Technology
Date
2013
Supervisors
Papps, Elaine
Williamson, Alasdair
Williamson, Alasdair
Type
Masters Thesis
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
cancer nurses
inpatient setting
outpatient setting
compassion fatigue
experience
stressors
Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL)
surveys
cancer nurses
inpatient setting
outpatient setting
compassion fatigue
experience
stressors
Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL)
surveys
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Gillespie, M. E. (2013). Compassion fatigue and cancer nurses: A national survey of cancer nurses in New Zealand. (Unpublished document submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Nursing). Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), New Zealand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Nurses are at risk of compassion fatigue by the very nature of their work in being witness to patients and families during traumatic situations. Cancer nurses are especially vulnerable because of the close association and relationships they have with family/whānau often over extended periods of time. This may result in the nurse experiencing compassion fatigue that can impact on their ability to carry out their role. Without support and intervention, nurses may leave the profession at a time when there is a shortage of skilled cancer nurses in New Zealand which ultimately can result in poorer patient outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify the experiences of New Zealand cancer nurses whose primary role is to care for patients aged 20 or older and their family/whānau and to describe the factors that may influence care. One of the aims of the study was to look at whether nurses received training on managing the stressors of caring for cancer patients either during their training or while in the cancer workplace setting and whether nurses working in a peripheral (satellite) cancer centre were more at risk than their colleagues in the larger regional centres.
METHOD
A quantitative descriptive and anonymous survey was carried out using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) questionnaire that scores compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction and burnout. Members of the Cancer Nurses’ Section of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) took part in an online survey.
RESULTS
Nurses on the whole were happy, satisfied with their work and believed they made a difference in their care of cancer patients. However some felt overwhelmed by their case loads, did not feel management supported or understood their roles as cancer nurses; were preoccupied with patients they cared for; had difficulty separating their work and personal life; suffered insomnia, felt trapped, worn out, on edge and bogged down by the system; with some nurses experiencing depression. Although nurses working at a peripheral cancer centre did not have a greater risk of compassion fatigue than nurses working at regional cancer centres, the findings did show that nurses in the public health system, clinical nurse educators and those aged 20-35 had an increased risk of compassion fatigue. Conversely, those with the highest level of compassion satisfaction were also clinical nurse educators. A major finding for the group as a whole was the lack of opportunity for education on managing the stressors of caring for cancer patients.
Preliminary findings were presented at the national Cancer Nurses’ Section/NZNO Haematology and Oncology Conference in 2013.
DISCUSSION
Providing nurses with the tools to manage self-care is essential to their well-being and ability to carry out our roles effectively and with compassion. Cancer nurses need to be aware of the symptoms of compassion fatigue and know when to seek professional assistance to manage a balance between work and home-life. Cancer nurses may be able to assist colleagues who are experiencing compassion fatigue and Health organisations that employ cancer nurses could benefit from providing nurses with education at the time of their cancer training and offer on-going education once nurses are in the work place. By ensuring cancer nurses are supported to care for cancer patients may result in a decreased risk of compassion fatigue and its subsequent negative outcomes for the nurse, patients and the organisation.
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