'I Was too Tired to Show Compassion': A Phenomenological Qualitative Study on the Lived Compassion Fatigue Experiences of Nurses Working in Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Units

Introduction: Psychiatric nurses are at risk of experiencing compassion fatigue. Despite the economic, emotional and physical effects of compassion fatigue, it has not been sufficiently investigated in the field of psychiatric nursing, and the lived experiences of compassion fatigue, in particular, require further investigation using qualitative methods. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the lived compassion fatigue experiences of nurses working in psychiatric clinics using a phenomenological approach. Method: The study was conducted between December 2023 and February 2024 with 22 psychiatric nurses working in acute psychiatric clinics. Data were collected through individual, in-depth interviews, and analysed using Collaizi's seven-step descriptive analysis approach. Results: Data analysis revealed four main themes and eight subthemes: (1) being a psychiatric nurse (multifaceted role and benefits), (2) tiredness (from traumatic effects to depersonalisation and emotional isolation), (3) causes of compassion fatigue (patient derived, system and working environment derived) and (4) coping methods (individual and expectations). Discussion: Due to difficult patient profiles and adverse working conditions, psychiatric nurses experience compassion fatigue and may become desensitised to patient needs over time. Implications for Practice: Institutional support in the form of training for nurses on recognising and coping with compassion fatigue, as well as a safe and workload-balanced working environment, is essential.