Secondary Traumatic Stress in Baccalaureate Nursing Students: A Pilot Study
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 16, 2025

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Background:
Nursing students completing clinical training are at risk for secondary traumatic stress (STS) development; however, STS measurement in students is limited. The purpose of this pilot study was to gather preliminary evidence of STS prevalence and severity in nursing students and determine its relationship to personal and clinical learning environment factors.
Method:
A descriptive, correlational multimethod pilot study design was used. One hundred twenty-three baccalaureate nursing students participated in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic analysis were used to evaluate the data.
Results:
Fifty-six percent of the sample reported moderate to severe STS; 24% of the participants met preliminary posttraumatic stress disorder criteria related to secondary trauma exposure. STS correlates and qualitative findings are also reported.
Conclusion:
Given students' trauma exposure both personally and clinically, nurse educators should implement trauma-informed educational strategies. Further exploration of STS is warranted with additional nursing student populations. [J Nurs Educ. 2025;64(7):445-448.].
More Related Videos
09:55Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
08:25Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Psychological Responses to Stress
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Current Trends in Nursing I
National Nursing Organizations II
The AACN emphasizes a healthy work environment through six standards to achieve an optimal patient outcome. The standards are appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, collaboration, authentic leadership, effective communication, and decision-making. In addition, AACN provides certification programs, webinars, journals, and...
Bullying
Obedience