Support Strategies and Policy Recommendations to Manage the Aftermath of an Emergency or Traumatic Situation

Nurses in all practice areas are often thrust into emergency situations, requiring them to act swiftly to protect the health and safety of their clients. Once the emergency is over, they seamlessly return to their regular duties, driven by the belief that the work never stops, that nursing is a 24 hour job, and that selflessness is a nursing virtue. Occupational exposure to traumatic events can lead to adverse outcomes like posttraumatic stress disorder and secondary traumatic stress, which impact nurse well-being, patient safety, and workforce stability. This article presents a framework for managing the aftermath of such events.