Therapeutic optimism and attitudes among medical and surgical nurses towards attempted suicide

Identification of the attitudes to consumers admitted to hospital following a suicide attempt and the therapeutic optimism of nurses caring for this cohort is vital to ascertain the level of nursing care provided. A convenience sample of 72 Registered and enrolled nurses from a large metropolitan health service in South Eastern Melbourne, Australia, completed a demographic questionnaire, the Elsom Therapeutic Optimism Scale (ETOS), and the Attitudes to Attempted Suicide-Questionnaire (ATAS-Q). Data were analysed using SPSS (version 25). Whilst the ETOS & ATAS-Q correlate positively, themes of shame, blame, misunderstandings, and myths about suicide influence nurses' perspectives when providing suicide attempt aftercare. This may potentially lead to care that is tokenistic and task focused. To develop their professional skill set when providing suicide attempt aftercare, nurses need both formal and informal education and opportunities to reflect on their practice.