Walker and Avant define concept as the starting point upon which theory is built (Walker & Avant, 2011). A concept must be explained so that it is not open to more than one interpretation, as well as incorporating a specific application for its use, which provides specific description that is clear to the reader (Walker & Avant, 2011). A clearly explained concept helps provide a comprehensive understanding of the theory that is being explored.
Support is the nursing-related concept that I have chosen. By completing a concept analysis on support, I hope to gain a richer understanding of the concept and how it relates to the occupation of professional nursing. Support for the nursing workforce can have a significant impact on all aspects of healthcare and can affect all stakeholders. This concept is relevant to the potential DNP project I am developing regarding the impact of nurse mentoring programs on healthcare outcomes and job satisfaction for nurses.
The aim of this concept analysis is to examine and define the concept of fatigue as it relates to nurse and patient care. Specifically, this concept will examine the relation between nursing fatigue and its affect on nurse turnover rates and burnout. I hope this concept analysis will aid in exploring the way nurse fatigue and burnout relates to high turnover rates, which decreases nurse and patient satisfaction. (Leadership demesion). Trauma nurses have been proven to have high compassion fatigue and turnover rates which resulted in fewer hobbies, weaker coworker relationships, lower coping strategies (research. Decreasing Trauma ICU nursing fatigue essential as the healthcare field continues to advance and patient acuity continues to rise, yet ICU nursing turnover rates and fatigue continue to rise.
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Oxford Dictionary defines the word “fatigue” as extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness (Oxford, 2019). Oxford Dictionary also explained “fatigue” originated in the 17th century as the Latin term fatigue, which tire out, and developed into Middle English where it became interchangeable with the meaning exhaustion. Mayo Clinic explains fatigue as a level that impacts emotional and psychological well-being (Mayo Clinic, 2018). To further explain the implication of fatigue, all familiar synonyms should be considered. Merriam-Webster (n.d.) presented the following list of synonyms: break, burn out, do in, exhaust, frazzle, harass, outwear, tucker out, wash out, and wear out.
Fatigue can be described as a noun or verb. The Oxford Dictionary (2018) defined the meaning of fatigue as a noun as extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness. The same source explained the verb form of the word as cause (someone) to feel exhausted. In simple terms, fatigue is mental or physical exhaustion and burn out.
Numerous studies have been conducted on the concept fatigue in Trauma nursing as it relates to burn out and high turnover rates. Research article explained that fatigue and burn out are extremely high in Trauma nurses, emphasizing the stress encompassing the care of trauma patients. Current research illustrates the stress and fatigue in Trauma nursing role it plays in burn out and turnover rates.
The defining attributes of the concept of fatigue are the heart of characteristics that emerge most frequently associated with the concept and helps the analyst provide insight (Walker & Avant, 2011). After reviewing literature, many interpretations of fatigue were determined. Nevertheless, two recurrent groupings were identified which concluded extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or weakness metal. For the aim of this analysis, the defining attributes of fatigue will be explained as extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion. The concept of fatigue in Trauma nurses will be the essence of the concept.
According to Research (2014), the defining attributes of fatigue, as determined from reviews of nursing literature, are that it is emotional exhaustion, diminished feelings, and work accomplishments. Leadership, (2014) defines fatigue as feelings of irritability, being overwhelmed, and anger. As fatigue increases, patient care declines, turnover rates and burnout increases (Leadership). Fatigue in trauma nursing a progressive and a cumulative process that is influenced by interaction with patients, the nurse’s own resources, and exposure to stress (Leadership).
The Merriam-Webster dictionary (n.d.) defines burnout as exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration. Burnout and turnover rates are a major determinate of job (EBSCO). The attribute of growth is therefore essential for the concept analysis on support.
The Collins Dictionary (2019) defines job satisfaction as the extent to which a person’s hopes, desires, and expectations about the employment he or she is engaged in are fulfilled. To have job satisfaction in a Trauma icu means decreasing nurse fatigue, minimize stressors, and burnout (EBSC0).
The distinguished defining attributes of fatigue are that it is exhaustion, stressed, poor job satisfaction, and burnout. These characteristics have been inspected in the literary texts and supply a clear understanding of the concept of fatigue.
Walker and Avant (2011) explain the use of a model case as an illustration that will describe all the defining characteristics of the concept being explored. A model case should give clearness on the intended use of the concept in the analysis.
Sheryl has been a nurse for a year on the Trauma ICU floor. She has been working nights since she started as well as picking up extra shifts. As part of the hospital policy to reduce fatigue, there is a cap to the number of extra shifts a nurse can work. Any additional hours requested has to be approved by the floor manager. Sheryl is required by policy to have so many hours off per pay period to prevent burnout. The aim of the policy is to prevent nurses from fatigue, exhaustion, tiredness, and burnout. (Fatigue, 2018). Sheryl understands that the policy to prevent fatigue working in a high stress unit. It will require instituting a cap to the number of hours allowed to work per pay period and take personal time off. The policy is a process that is continually evolving. Both Sheryl and her unit, are advised to participate in counseling, hobbies, or other measures to help reduce fatigue and stress.
According to hospital policy, Sheryl can work her scheduled nights and additional hours pending manager approval. Knowing she has a resource that she can turn to when a she feels fatigued or overwhelmed as decreased turnover rates on the hospital unit.
This model case provides a distinct representation of fatigue in the nursing profession. It incorporated the defining attributes of fatigue. These attributes were identified as fatigue being exhausted mental and/or physically, tiredness, and burnout.
Walker and Avant (2011) explain a borderline case as one that is similar in many ways yet has a shortage of all the characteristics or attributes of the recognized concept. The incorporation of a borderline case is to aid the researcher make knowledgably discernments about the appropriateness of particular attributes of the concept in question (Walker & Avant, 2011).
An example of a borderline case would be considering a nurse named Candace that decided to work on a Pediatric ICU. She decided to continue her education, so she was working additional shifts to help cover her tuition cost. Regardless of her manager advising her to take a few days off, she continued to work sixty plus hours a week. Juggling school and work additional hours were starting to affect her patient care. Candace noticed herself getting short tempered with the other nurses and a lack of compassion for her patients. Even though she was working additional hours she did not feel exhausted mental or physically. Other staff members suggested Candace take a day off, but she declined and continued to work. It finally took Candace to notice that the other nurses did not want to communicate with her because of her attitude. She decided to take a week off and destress.
This borderline case discussed an individual that had the defining attributes of fatigue by following the process of working additional hours to help pay for her tuition. Furthermore, the nurse noticed a lack of compassion and feeling fatigued working additional hours. However, this case does not display any examples of exhaustion. The individual chose not to listen to her colleagues when advising her to take time off. By refusing all opportunities, Candace eventually found herself fatigued and isolated from her other colleagues. Eventually exhaustion caught up with Candace and she wished she would have taken the advice from others to take time off.
