Vicarious trauma and nursing: An integrative review
Sophie Isobel1, Margaret Thomas2
1Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
|November 20, 2021
Summary
Vicarious trauma impacts nurses, affecting their personal and professional lives. Preventative strategies and systemic support are crucial for nurses providing trauma-informed care.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Empathic engagement in nursing can lead to vicarious trauma in caregivers.
- Little is known about the specific implications of vicarious trauma for nurses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore existing knowledge on vicarious trauma in nursing.
- To identify its implications and interventions for nurses.
Main Methods:
- Integrative review of 22 articles.
- Analysis of conceptualization, implications, and interventions for vicarious trauma in nursing.
Main Results:
- Vicarious trauma is a pervasive workplace hazard for nurses with significant personal and professional effects.
- It impacts nurses across various settings and affects healthcare organizations.
- Awareness, preventative approaches, and systemic supports are recommended at multiple levels.
Conclusions:
- Vicarious trauma requires recognition as a cost of compassionate care for trauma survivors.
- Systemic supports including education, screening, clinical supervision, and peer support are essential.
- A move towards trauma-informed care necessitates addressing vicarious trauma in nurses.
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