RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: End-of-life care (EOLC) is necessary for patients who are not expected to live long. Nurses have positive attitudes toward EOLC, but they encounter difficulties in practice. That situation creates conflict, which can affect burnout. It is essential to manage nurses' conflict about their ability to practice EOLC by enhancing their individual strengths. Focusing on the role of self-compassion may help to prevent burnout related to the conflict about ability to practice EOLC. OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to assess the mediating effect of self-compassion on the association between conflict about ability to practice EOLC and burnout. METHODS: A correlational study was conducted with emergency department nurses who practiced EOLC. Self-report measures of conflict about ability to practice EOLC, burnout, and self-compassion were obtained. RESULTS: Negative aspects of self-compassion mediated the relationship among conflict, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization (burnout). Self-compassion did not mediate the association between conflict and reduced personal accomplishment (burnout). CONCLUSIONS: Negative aspects of self-compassion mediated the relationship between conflict and burnout (excluding reduced personal accomplishment). To prevent burnout, it is necessary to screen for nurses with low self-compassion and to provide opportunities to change their cognitive recognition and disclose their conflicts.