The Relationship Between Ethical Attitudes and Compassion Fatigue in Nurses Working in Surgical Intensive Care Units

Abstract

AimThis study aimed to explore the relationship between ethical attitudes and compassion fatigue experienced by nurses in surgical intensive care units.MethodsIt is mixed-design research. The study was conducted with 38 nurses working in the surgical intensive care units of a university hospital who agreed to participate in the study. Quantitative data were collected using the Nurse Information Form, the Ethical Attitude Scale for Nursing Care, and the Compassion Fatigue-Short Scale. Qualitative data were collected using a semistructured questionnaire, through individual interviews with 9 volunteer nurses in surgical intensive care units.ResultsThe study revealed that nurses exhibited high levels of ethical attitudes in nursing care along with high levels of compassion fatigue. During the qualitative data analysis, 4 key themes emerged: ethical approaches in surgical intensive care units, professional quality of life in nurses, the reflections of compassion fatigue on ethical behavior, and nurses' well-being.ConclusionsIt was concluded that when compassion fatigue increased in nurses in surgical intensive care units, ethical attitudes in nursing care decreased. Therefore, compassion fatigue can be addressed by programs that support nurses' well-being, such as meditation, deep breathing, self-compassion exercises, and so on. It can be reduced.