Learning Objective #1: conduct a concept analysis of compassion fatigue in order to construct a connotative definition

Learning Objective #2: identify and describe the empirical indicators of compassion fatigue in order to construct a denotative definition

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Background: Nurse practitioners have a duty to compassionately care for the patients in their charge, which personally exposes them to patients' pain, trauma and suffering on a daily basis. Additionally, nurse practitioners work in demanding and dire circumstances, which not only influences their well-being, but also their ability to provide compassionate care. The result is a nursing workforce that is experiencing compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue has however, never been defined within the context of the nursing profession before. Aim: The aim of this study was to conduct a concept analysis of compassion fatigue in order to 1) construct a connotative definition, and 2) to identify and describe the empirical indicators of compassion fatigue in order to construct a denotative definition. Design: A philosophical inquiry design was used along with qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual research strategies. Method: The concept analysis method of Walker and Avant (2005) which is based on the original method of Wilson (1987) was used to list, order and reduce the characteristics of compassion and fatigue, so as to identify the defining characteristics and categories of compassion fatigue, which allowed clarification of its meaning through the construction of a connotative definition. Model, borderline and contrary cases were described to confirm the defining characteristics of the concept, and the findings of the concept analysis were further established through an integrative literature control. The empirical indicators were identified from the characteristics of compassion fatigue and the literature control, and ordered and divided to permit the synthesis of a denotative definition. Results: A connotative definition, empirical indicators and a denotative definition of compassion fatigue resulted from this research.

WALKER, L.O. & AVANT,K.C. 2005. Strategies for theory construction in nursing. 4th ed. New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall. 227p.

WILSON, J. 1987. Thinking with concepts. New York: Cambridge University Press. 171p.