The Relationship Between Compassion Satisfaction and Quality of Care Among Oncology Nursing Staff

Posted: Mar 07, 2023

• Leighton Cruz
• Brayden Keller
• Alaina Torres

Abstract

The oncology nursing profession represents one of the most emotionally demanding and clinically complex specialties within healthcare. Nurses working in cancer care environments regularly confront profound human suffering, existential crises, and the delicate balance between hope and reality in patient care. While extensive research has documented the negative consequences of this work environment, particularly focusing on burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral distress, significantly less attention has been paid to the positive dimensions of oncology nursing practice. This study addresses this critical gap by examining compassion satisfaction—the pleasure derived from being able to do one's work well—and its relationship with quality of care outcomes. Compassion satisfaction represents a fundamentally different construct from the mere absence of burnout or compassion fatigue. It encompasses the positive feelings caregivers experience from their ability to contribute positively to patients' lives, the sense of accomplishment derived from providing competent care, and the fulfillment gained from meaningful patient connections.