Journal article
Compassion Fatigue Among Australian Oncology Nurses Caring for Adult Cancer Patients: Antecedents, Impact and Mediators
Journal of advanced nursing, Vol.81(9), pp.5984-5995
09/2025
PMID: 39788559
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Aims: To explore how Australian oncology nurses perceive and experience compassion fatigue when caring for adult cancer patients, how they mitigate compassion fatigue and identify potential interventions to address compassion fatigue.
Design: A qualitative, descriptive study.
Methods: Twenty Australian oncology nurses caring for adult cancer patients were interviewed between August and September 2023. Participants were recruited from a larger, quantitative study. Interviews were conducted virtually, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Three themes and nine sub-themes were identified. Participants viewed heavy workloads, low staffing and organisational support as contributing factors to compassion fatigue. They described compassion fatigue as a feeling of having nothing left to give, impacting their ability to self-care, deliver quality patient care and maintain relationships. The pride participants felt in their cancer care work helped mitigate compassion fatigue. Self-care strategies, workplace mentoring and support were identified as ways to mitigate compassion fatigue.
Conclusion: The work of oncology nurses can contribute to compassion fatigue, which may impact nurses and patient care. Organisations would benefit from supporting staff to engage in self-care activities, professional development and mentoring.
Implications for Professional: Findings support a multi-tiered approach to addressing compassion fatigue among oncology nurses. Organisations can prioritise adequate staffing levels, mentoring opportunities, focused well-being interventions and provide avenues for meaningful recognition.
Reporting Method: This study adheres to the COREQ reporting guidelines.
Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.
Details
- Title
- Compassion Fatigue Among Australian Oncology Nurses Caring for Adult Cancer Patients: Antecedents, Impact and Mediators
- Creators
- Janneka Banks - Central Queensland UniversityVioleta Lopez - Central Queensland UniversityDeependra Kaji Thapa - Central Queensland UniversityAshlyn Sahay - Central Queensland UniversityMichelle Cleary - Central Queensland University
- Publication Details
- Journal of advanced nursing, Vol.81(9), pp.5984-5995
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 12
- Identifiers
- 991013398171602368
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s)
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article