Care after chaos: use of critical incident stress debriefing after traumatic workplace events

CISD is a specific model of group debriefing, which can be used to accelerate recovery from traumatic work-place events. The impact of critical incidents may be debilitating-from recurrent intrusive images, persistent fear, displaced anger, guilt, and isolation. CISD can accomplish psychological closure, prevention, and mitigation of traumatic stress, and promote return to normalcy, benefiting the individual, organization, and the community at large. The field of critical incident stress management is open to advanced practice nurses who seek to apply their crisis-intervention expertise within a nontraditional role and workplace setting. With specialized training, the advanced practice nurse may pursue a career as a crisis-response provider, working independently or with an established CISM team. Practice requirements include CISM certification, along with the acquisition of a referral source. The prevention and mitigation of traumatic stress can yield a rewarding career in CISM.