A Developmental Perspective on Risk for Compassion Fatigue in Middle-aged Nurses Caring for Hurricane Victims in Florida

Abstract

This research examined the risk for compassion fatigue (CF) in 55 middle-aged female nurses 40 to 60 years old who cared for victims of the 2004 hurricanes in Florida. Developmental theory and CF theory provided the framework for the study. Consistent with both theories, 76% of the nurses were at low risk for CF.