Compassion Fatigue Among Labor and Delivery Nurses in the United States

PURPOSE: To understand the prevalence of compassion fatigue among labor and delivery nurses and examine factors that influence their compassion fatigue. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional design. METHODS: This was a national study using the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) database to conduct an online survey of members identified as specializing in labor and delivery care. Demographic information was collected and relationships between these demographic factors and levels of compassion fatigue were analyzed. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Scale, Version 5 and The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile, Version 2 (HPLP II) were administered to identify factors that led to compassion fatigue in L&D nurses. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-nine AWHONN members participated in this study. Healthy behaviors had a significant impact on compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress. These constructs were not significantly affected by age and years of labor and delivery or nursing experience. Demographic factors also did not significantly affect compassion fatigue or compassion satisfaction, but years of both labor and delivery and nursing experience did significantly affect secondary traumatic stress. Annual birth volume at a facility was not a significant predictor of these constructs, but number of adverse events reported per month was significant in nurses experiencing compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and secondary traumatic stress. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Debriefings can help mitigate the effects of adverse clinical events for nurses. A positive unit culture can promote a healthy work environment. Leaders should encourage labor and delivery nurses to participate in healthy lifestyle behaviors to counteract negative workplace experiences.