Circumstantial Factors Among Kentucky Nurse Suicide Decedents, 2005 to 2019

Background: Nurse suicide, a complex occupational health concern, is urgently in need of research due to the personal and occupational suicide risk factors experienced by nurses, namely mental health problems (e.g., depression), job problems, and substance misuse. Therefore, the study aims were to determine the contextual characteristics and circumstantial factors associated with nurse suicide in Kentucky. Methods: Secondary suicide data were obtained from the Kentucky Violent Death Reporting System (KYVDRS) from 2005 to 2019. Nurse suicide cases were identified using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Standard Occupational Classification. A mixed-methods analysis using descriptive statistics and qualitative evaluation was conducted to determine the distributions of demographic, injury, and weapon characteristics, followed by a qualitative analysis of the KYVDRS incident narrative text of nurse suicide decedents. Results: There were 88 decedents identified with a nursing occupation. The predominant means of death for male (59%) and female (45%) nurses involved firearms. Thematic analysis showed nurse decedents experienced a mental health problem (51%) and premeditated (50%) suicide preceding death. Incidentally, 51% of all cases experienced multiple circumstantial factors (e.g., relationship problems and premeditation) preceding their death by suicide. Discussion/Application to Practice: Nurse suicide decedents experienced multifactorial risk factors preceding their death by suicide, namely depression, premeditated suicide, and relationship problems. Occupational health practitioners and health care organizations can implement individual and organizational prevention efforts to help prevent nurse suicide.