The paradox of care: Navigating emotional demands in Faroese nursing practice

Abstract

Introduction: The global shortage of professional care workers, including in the Faroe Islands, is worsening due to an aging population and a shrinking workforce. In healthcare systems – already strained by efficiency-driven reforms – employee well-being is often overlooked. Emotional demands are a central challenge in caregiving, contributing to burnout, absenteeism, and mental health issues, contributing to compassion fatigue, burnout and mental health issues. Nurses face particularly intense strain, balancing exposure to suffering, complex decisions, and emotional suppression. Yet, caregiving also offers profound meaning and purpose. Objective: To explore how nurses experience and cope with emotional demands in their professional roles, aiming to identify strategies to prevent compassion fatigue and support a sustainable care workforce. Methods: Fifteen registered nurses, with a minimum work seniority of eight years, working in hospital and community care settings, were interviewed from September to December 2024. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes across the interviews, focusing on the emotional dimensions of care work, workplace culture, and coping strategies. Results: Three key themes were identified: 1. A meaningful and paradoxical job: Nurses found deep purpose in their work but noted that the most rewarding aspects were also the most emotionally burdensome. 2. The burden of facing emotional demands alone: Emotional demands became overwhelming primarily when support from colleagues or management was lacking; emotional suppression and social withdrawal were common coping strategies. 3. A caring work environment – marked by psychological safety, peer support, and reflection – is essential but often undermined by cost-efficiency measures. Conclusions: Emotional demands in nursing are both burdensome and deeply meaningful – an inherent part of the profession. A supportive work environment is vital to care quality and must be prioritized by decision-makers. Regular peer discussions about challenging experiences are key to sustaining nurses' well-being and professional standards over time.