Nursing Trauma and Coping: An Integrative Review

Nurses are exposed to traumatic situations in a plethora of settings. Continuous exposure to stressors and the inability to cope with trauma may result in the development of psychological disorders. An integrative review was conducted to analyze the state of the science concerning the impact of trauma in the nursing profession on nurses coping mechanisms. Inclusion criteria necessitated studies used qualitative or quantitative design, published in English language peer reviewed journals. A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria after full text review. The body of research is limited in experimental designs due to the nature of the issue. Thirteen qualitative studies, five mixed methods, and seven quantitative studies are included in the review. Social support was overwhelmingly identified as a coping mechanism for nurses. Spirituality and exercise were also noted as coping mechanisms for those in the nursing profession. More research is needed to explore potential negative coping mechanisms such as alcohol and drug use. Science could be advanced through the development of interventions aimed at increasing coping skills for nurses who may experience trauma while providing care.