Nurses' psychological trauma: "They leave me lying awake at night"

Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2020 Jun;34(3):86-95. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2020.04.011. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Abstract

Objective: To describe nurses' personal and professional psychological trauma.

Methods: A content analysis of 372 responses surrounding personal and professional trauma was performed.

Results: Five themes emerged. A new type of trauma was uncovered, heretofore undescribed in the literature: insufficient resource trauma caused by a lack of resources and staff needed to render quality, safe care.

Conclusion: Nurses' reports were vivid, frequently indicating they were still recovering from traumatic experiences. Professional sources of trauma were categorized as inherent in the role of the nurse and those that could be mitigated through organizational policy, adequate resources, and oversight.

Keywords: Content analysis; Nurses; Psychological trauma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology*
  • Psychological Trauma / psychology*
  • Resource Allocation / supply & distribution*