Secondary traumatic stress in baccalaureate nursing students: A multi-method study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Psychology
• Mental Health

Background:

• Clinical experiences with traumatized patients pose a risk for secondary traumatic stress (STS) in nursing students.
• Limited understanding and generalizable findings exist regarding STS in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence, severity, and experience of STS in prelicensure baccalaureate nursing students in the U.S.
• To explore the relationship between STS and personal/clinical factors.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, correlational multi-method survey design was employed.
• Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• 60% of 710 nursing students reported moderate to severe STS; 38% met preliminary PTSD criteria.
• Prior trauma history correlated positively with STS; debriefing frequency correlated negatively.
• Significant differences in STS scores were found based on mental health diagnoses.

Conclusions:

• Findings underscore the need for trauma-informed educational strategies in prelicensure nursing programs.
• Addressing STS is crucial for student well-being and effective nursing education.