Implementing Trauma-Informed Education Practices in Undergraduate Mental Health Nursing Education

Nursing students may have risk factors for trauma reactivation through learning activities conducted as part of their education and training. Trauma-informed education practices (TIEP) could help reduce this risk.

Course policies, content, procedures, and support structures consistent with the tenets of TIEP were implemented in undergraduate mental health courses with traditional third-year nursing students at two universities.

Students responded positively to the implementation of TIEP. Most (92%) qualitative feedback students provided in formal evaluations was directly related to at least one principle of TIEP, most commonly "promoting social, emotional, and academic safety." Some students (39.3%) interpreted TIEP as demonstrations of "genuine" caring for the students as individuals and their own mental health.

Integrating TIEP into an undergraduate nursing mental health course is feasible and beneficial and allows faculty to role model skills and values central to nursing practice. [.