Compassion Fatigue in Nurse Educators: A Concept Analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis is to develop an understanding of the concept of compassion fatigue as it relates to nurses in academic settings. Nurses are at a known risk of developing vicarious traumatization that may affect professional well-being. The role of nurse educator however, is a profession that has not been well researched as to the risks of and effects of compassion fatigue. The nurse educator profession is currently experiencing a major shortage with a reported 1567 faculty vacancies in schools of nursing across the country (AACN, 2017). According to the NLN (2014), nurse educators work an average of 52 hours per week and that heavy workload impacts job satisfaction keeping faculty attrition high. Dissatisfaction with workload and burnout have been cited as contributing factors to the nurse educator shortage (AACN, 2012; NLN, 2010). According to Shirey (2006), nursing faculty experience stress and burnout not only because of the high job expectations, but also due to the feelings of frustration associated with the perceived inability to satisfy the demands of multiple constituencies. Examining the complexities of burnout leading to compassion fatigue in nurse educators may provide information to help alleviate the nurse educator shortage.

Description of Concept: Compassion fatigue is often linked to other concepts in the literature that add to the confusion surrounding the concept and how it may apply to nurse educators. Compassion fatigue is a state of exhaustion and dysfunction that affects people in giving professions and is a direct result of empathy and over exposure (Figley, 1999 [in Stamm]). It is a state of exhaustion and biological, physical and emotional dysfunction associated with the cost of caring. Nurse educators develop unique relationships with their students, and due to their caring nature, may develop relationships that are immersed in the student, creating a potential for over-exposure to stressful events. The multifaceted role of the nurse educator, which often includes student advisor, clinical instructor, and classroom instructor, provides for multiple opportunities where the educator is exposed to seeing, hearing or discussing traumatic experiences with students. Students often share stressful life events with their faculty and/or advisors or may share as discussion in the classroom or small group setting. A study by Owens (2017) revealed that the nurse educator participants were at risk for having difficulties coping with the trauma they were exposed to through their work with students and/or academia. Ramirez, Isaacson, Smith and Senger (2017) discuss the high levels of anxiety in millennial students and the difficulties nurse educators have developing healthy relationships with these students, noting that enmeshed relationships cause unnecessary stress and anxiety for both parties.

Analysis Process: Walker and Avant model for concept analysis used. Literature search completed using MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsychINFO utilizing Keywords: Compassion fatigue, secondary stress, nurses, nurse educators, academic, burnout

Concept Linkage to Practice: A clear understanding of compassion fatigue as it relates to nurses in the academic setting will allow for development of best practices to enhance professional well-being for nurse educators. The development of compassion fatigue in the nurse educator may adversely affect the educator's ability to function at their highest level and can affect their ability to remain in the profession. Developing a thorough understanding of the concept as it relates to nurse educators will help to highlight the significance of the issue. Increased exposure of the problem within the profession and in the literature may help educators and their institutions understand compassion fatigue and how to address signs and symptoms before educators must leave the profession due to the biological, physiological and emotional dysfunction that develops, adding to the nurse educator shortage.

Conclusions: It is essential to have a complete understanding of compassion fatigue in order to address prevention and treatment for nurse educators. Compassion fatigue awareness can assist institutions in the development of resiliency training for nurse educators that may help to alleviate the nurse educator shortages.