Prevalence of Burnout, Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction among Critical Care Nurses at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Purpose: Critical care nurses (CCNs) should have a supportive work environment to prevent burnout syndrome (BOS) and compassion fatigue (CF). However, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) nurses face high levels of BOS and CF due to overwhelming workloads, patient suffering, and inadequate institutional support. This study aims to examine the prevalence of burnout, compassion fatigue, and CS among KNH CCNs, providing insights to inform policy interventions and institutional strategies to support nurse well-being. Methods: This randomized controlled trial at KNH's Critical Care Unit explored burnout, compassion fatigue, and satisfaction among 156 randomly selected critical care nurses. Data collection utilized the Professional Quality of Life questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and Pearson's correlation analysis, using a p-value of <0.05 for significance. Ethical approval was granted by the KNH-UoN Ethics and Research Committee, Daystar University Ethics Board, and informed consent was obtained from participants. Results:  Findings revealed that 33% of CCNs experienced moderate to high levels of burnout, with the highest prevalence among nurses with fewer than two years of experience (M = 28.5, SD = 9.3). Compassion fatigue was prevalent, with 76.2% reporting moderate levels. In contrast, compassion satisfaction was relatively high (M = 39.8, SD = 4.9), particularly among nurses with more than five years in their current position (M = 40.9, SD = 4.3, p = .015). Employment status significantly influenced both burnout and CS levels, with temporary nurses experiencing higher burnout and lower CS. Implications:  Burnout and compassion fatigue are common among critical care nurses, especially early-career and temporary staff, while experienced nurses benefit from compassion satisfaction. Institutional measures, such as mental health programs, improved nurse-to-patient ratios, permanent employment, and resilience training in nursing curricula, are essential. The Ministry of Health should create policies to reduce workloads, and further research is needed to evaluate workplace interventions for better nurse well-being and patient care.