Abstract
Compassion fatigue occurs in unhealthy and violent environments. This qualitative study interviewed 53 emergency department nurses at a Level I trauma center. The ED nurses expressed frustration with addicted patients, negative responses, and decreased job satisfaction. Creating a healthy work environment includes fostering self-awareness and strategies to avoid compassion fatigue.
Detailed abstract attached.
Sigma Membership
Alpha Nu
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Emergency Department Nurses, Compassion Fatigue, Nurse Frustration, Addicted Patients, Substance Use Disorders, Job Satisfaction
Recommended Citation
Dowdell, Elizabeth B., "Expressions of Compassion Fatigue by Emergency Department Nurses Caring for Patients With Substance Use Disorders" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 76.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2023/presentations_2023/76
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Austin, Texas, USA and Virtual
Conference Year
2023
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-10-17
Funder(s)
Independence Blue Cross Foundation
Expressions of Compassion Fatigue by Emergency Department Nurses Caring for Patients With Substance Use Disorders
Austin, Texas, USA and Virtual
Compassion fatigue occurs in unhealthy and violent environments. This qualitative study interviewed 53 emergency department nurses at a Level I trauma center. The ED nurses expressed frustration with addicted patients, negative responses, and decreased job satisfaction. Creating a healthy work environment includes fostering self-awareness and strategies to avoid compassion fatigue.
Detailed abstract attached.