Abstract: Objective: To explore the mediating role of general self-efficacy in the relationship between perceived nursing work environment and compassion fatigue among nurses in outpatient departments. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 290 nurses in outpatient departments of four tertiary grade A hospitals from April 15 to 30, 2022. The instruments included the general information sheet, the Chinese version of the Compassion Fatigue Scale, Chinese Version of Perceived Nursing Work Environment, and General Self-Efficacy Scale. Results: More than half (51.4%) of the participants experienced moderate level of burnout, and the incidence of secondary traumatic stress was 72.8%. In the perception of work environment, the score of staffing and resource adequacy was the lowest (3.18±0.71), and the general self-efficacy score was (2.82±0.62). Perceived nursing work environment had a positive effect on general self-efficacy and compassion satisfaction, and general self-efficacy was a mediator in the relationship between perceived nursing work environment and nurses' compassion fatigue. Conclusion: The compassion fatigue among outpatient nurses needs to be further improved. Hospital managers should pay more attention to increasing staff number and their salaries, and use effective strategies to increase nurses' general self-efficacy.

Key words: outpatient nurse; perceived nursing work environment; general self-efficacy; compassion fatigue