Assessing the professional quality of life in the context of pediatric care.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the professional quality of life (ProQOL), including compassion satisfaction (CS) and compassion fatigue (CF), burnout (BO) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) among registered nurses in the context of pediatric care in Riyadh city in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS: This study utilised a random multistage sampling method and a survey to collect data from 250 participants on personal characteristics, work-related aspects, lifestyle, and professional quality of life.

RESULTS: The study participants were all female. Only 2.0% were under 25, with 27.2% aged between 25 and 30 years, 24.0% aged between 31 and 35, and 26.4% over 40 years old. The majority, 74%, were non-Saudis. The participants reported low compassion satisfaction (CS) and compassion fatigue (CF) levels. The CS, burnout (BO), and secondary traumatic stress (STS) scores were 3.23 ± 0.764, 2.75 ± 0.68, and 2.69 ± 0.54, respectively. The study found a significant difference in ProQOL level based on factors such as age, nationality, previous experience, department, shift length, overtime work, state of overtime (mandatory versus optional), and salary.

CONCLUSIONS: Working with vulnerable groups poses unique challenges for pediatric nurses. The nationality, salary, and state of overtime were found to be significantly different when compared to CS scores. Additionally, age, department, previous experience, shift length, and overtime work were very different compared to CF scores. However, lifestyle factors did not affect CS and CF scores significantly.

IMPLICATIONS: To improve their well-being and interest in activities, pediatric nurses should practice self-compassion and utilise available educational resources such as workshops. They should also strive to achieve a work-life balance and adopt healthy habits to reduce CF.