Investigation of the Relationship Between Compassion Fatigue and Ethical Attitudes in Intensive Care Nurses

Aims: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between compassion fatigue and ethical attitudes among nurses working in intensive care units. Methods: The research is a descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study. This research was conducted at XXX Training and Research Hospital between December 2024 and January 2025 with the voluntary participation of 103 nurses. The data of the study were collected using the Nurse Identification Form, the Compassion Fatigue Brief Scale, and the Ethical Attitude in Nursing Care Scale. Results: In the study, the total mean score of the Compassion Fatigue Brief Scale was found to be 56.91±17.55, and the total mean score of the Ethical Attitude in Nursing Care Scale was found to be 151.55±15.39. It was determined that there was no statistically significant relationship between the Compassion Fatigue Brief Scale and the Ethical Attitude in Nursing Care Scale. Conclusion: Compassion fatigue levels were found to be below average among intensive care nurses. In addition, ethical attitude levels in nursing care were found to be high. Various measures need to be taken to ensure that intensive care nurses maintain their commitment to ethical principles and reduce their level of compassion fatigue.