Using National Databases to Analyze Nurse Suicide Mortality

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Nursing Research

Background:

• Nurses in the U.S. face a disproportionate risk of suicide.
• Existing studies on nurse suicide lack consistency in definitions, age parameters, and demographic data (sex, race, ethnicity).
• There is a significant need for further research to address these gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utility of national databases for a systematic examination of suicide among nurses.
• To identify variables within national databases that can address existing research gaps.

Main Methods:

• Downloaded and reviewed codebooks for National Occupational Mortality Surveillance (NOMS), National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), and National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS).
• Examined supplemental data sources for relevant variables.
• Focused on variables including manner of death, cause of death, occupation, education, sex, age, race, ethnicity, and state details.

Main Results:

• National databases allow for differentiated analyses of nursing professionals based on education and age.
• These databases include crucial demographic data (sex, race, ethnicity, state) to address research gaps.
• The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) offers potential to distinguish between working and non-working nurses, though with limitations.

Conclusions:

• National databases possess variables and coding procedures that can facilitate systematic examination of nurse suicide.
• Despite persistent limitations, particularly in mortality data, systematic evaluations are essential.
• Such evaluations are vital for resolving conflicting evidence, filling research gaps, and strengthening the evidence base on nurse suicide.