Assessing the Relationship Between Emotional Labor and Compassion Satisfaction in Nursing Practice

Posted: Apr 14, 2025

• Paisley Wood
• Patrick Evans
• Penelope Parker

Abstract

The nursing profession represents a unique context where emotional labor constitutes a fundamental component of professional practice. Emotional labor, defined as the process of managing feelings and expressions to fulfill emotional requirements of a job, has traditionally been studied through a deficit-focused lens that emphasizes its contribution to burnout and emotional exhaustion. However, this perspective fails to capture the complex reality that emotional work in nursing can simultaneously serve as both a source of strain and professional fulfillment. This research addresses this gap by developing a comprehensive framework for understanding how different emotional labor strategies relate to compassion satisfaction—the positive aspects of helping work that contribute to professional meaning and fulfillment. Traditional approaches to studying emotional labor in nursing have predominantly employed qualitative methodologies or basic correlational designs that limit our understanding of the dynamic interplay between emotional labor dimensions and professional outcomes. The current study introduces several methodological innovations, including the development of a multidimensional assessment instrument, the application of advanced statistical modeling techniques, and the implementation of a longitudinal design that captures the temporal dynamics of emotional labor and its consequences. By examining emotional labor not as a monolithic construct but as a multifaceted phenomenon with distinct strategies and consequences, this research provides a more nuanced understanding of how nurses can navigate emotional demands while maintaining professional satisfaction.