The relationships among health promotion behaviors, compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction in nurses practicing in a community medical center.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine the relationships among health promotion behaviors, compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction among nurses practicing in a community medical center.

BACKGROUND

Compassion fatigue and burnout are significant nursing stressors. Programs are available to offset the negative consequence of compassion fatigue and burnout and enhance compassion satisfaction, yet there remains a paucity of literature examining the relationships between health promotion behaviors, compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction.

METHODS

A nonexperimental design using a convenience sample of nurses completed the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, the Professional Quality of Life Scale, and a demographic data sheet.

FINDINGS

Statistically significant relationships among health promotional behaviors and compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction are outcomes associated with nursing practice. Support for engagement in health promotional behaviors may contribute to nurses' well-being in counteracting compassion fatigue and burnout and enhancing compassion satisfaction.