Büşra DEMİRCİ, Durdane YILMAZ GÜVEN
Global Nursing Insights - 2026;13(1):92-101
Aim: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between empathy levels, burnout levels and compassion fatigue of intensive care nurses. Material and Methods: The study used a descriptive, relationship-seeking design. It was conducted with 121 nurses working at a Training and Research Hospital between October and December 2022. Data were collected using a participant introduction form, "the Empathic Tendency Scale", "the Maslach Burnout Scale" and "the Compassion Fatigue-Short Scale". Results: It was determined that 42.2% of the intensive care nurses participating in the study were aged 29-38 years, 80.2% were female, 64.5% were married, and 72.7% held a bachelor's degree. The mean Empathic Tendency Scale score was 70.56 +/- 6.65, the mean Maslach Burnout Scale score was 84.31 +/- 17.73 and the mean Compassion Fatigue-Short Scale score was 60.55 +/- 21.73. Conclusions: A statistically significant relationship was found between the Empathic Tendency Scale scores and Maslach Burnout Scale scores in a positive direction, between the Empathic Tendency Scale scores and Compassion Fatigue-Short Scale scores in a negative direction and between the Maslach Burnout Scale scores and Compassion Fatigue-Short Scale scores in a negative direction (p<0.001). In line with the results of the study, it is recommended that instructive seminars be organized for intensive care nurses to enhance empathic tendency and compassion, to recognize burnout and compassion fatigue, and to develop coping strategies.
