Title : Burnout and compassion fatigue in nursing practice: Implication for nurse well-being
Abstract:
Background: Nurse burnout and compassion fatigue are prevalent across clinical settings and are associated with compromised nurse well-being, workforce instability, and potential impacts on care quality.
Objective: The purpose of this rapid review was to evaluate recent primary research (2021–2026) examining burnout, compassion fatigue/secondary traumatic stress, and related psychosocial outcomes among nurses,with consideration to modifiable organizational and work-environment factors.
Methods: A rapid review approach was used to summarize original research studies.
Findings: The rapid review revealed that nurses experienced substantial burnout and related distress, such as secondary traumatic stress, moral distress, fatigue/insomnia, loneliness, and death anxiety, with a higher risk in high-acuity and emotionally demanding settings. Work environment conditions, including staffing and policy support, leadership/management responsiveness, workplace strain, and resource adequacy, were consistently associated with burnout indicators, job dissatisfaction, and intent to leave. Several studies also identified potentially protective factors, such as supportive practice environments and self-care strategies, and suggested the feasibility of targeted interventions, including physical activity and compassion fatigue initiatives.
Conclusion: This rapid review supports that burnout and compassion fatigue are multifactorial and require multilevel strategies that combine organizational support with structured self-care resources to sustain nurse well-being, retention, and high-quality patient care.
Keywords: Nurse, Nursing, Burnout, Compassion fatigue, Nurse well-being, Impact And effect.
