The Relationship Between Organizational Support and Compassion Fatigue in Emergency Department Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study

Organizational support is a key factor that may influence and moderate compassion fatigue among nurses. Therefore, this descriptive-analytical study aimed to explore the relationship between organizational support and compassion fatigue in emergency department nurses. The research population consisted of all nurses in the emergency departments of educational hospitals in Urmia, Iran in 2024. A total of 150 nurses were randomly selected based on the inclusion criteria for the study. Data were collected through three questionnaires including a demographic information form, Eisenberger’s Organizational Support Scale, and Figley’s Compassion Fatigue Scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 15. The results indicated a significant negative relationship between organizational support and compassion fatigue (r=0.45 and p< 0.05). The mean score for organizational support among emergency department nurses was 21.13± 0.54. Moreover, the mean scores for compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress were 27.73 ± 8.54, 38.73 ± 1.81, and 28.45 ± 4.82, respectively. The overall mean score for the nurses' job quality was 31.93 ± 4.32. Given the results of the present study and the role of organizational support in reducing compassion fatigue among nurses, it is crucial for nursing managers and policymakers to take certain measures such as improving working conditions and addressing the needs of nurses to enhance organizational support, consequently helping to reduce and mitigate compassion fatigue among nurses.