Stress and Trauma Among Nurses in Development (STAND): A Descriptive Study

BackgroundMental health conditions related to traumatic stress exposure are common in practicing nurses. Less is known about the impact of trauma on nursing students and how it affects their transition to practice.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to understand the experience of trauma exposure and resulting symptoms in undergraduate nursing students.DesignThis is an analysis of baseline data from a longitudinal study. Students in an undergraduate nursing program completed a survey with validated instruments to measure trauma exposure, risk and protective factors, and trauma symptoms.SettingsThe study took place in an undergraduate nursing program in the United States.ParticipantsA total of 248 nursing students participated in the study.ResultsThe nursing students reported a higher number of adverse childhood experiences and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms than the general population. Additionally, mental health symptoms and burnout symptoms increased over time.ConclusionsNursing students are at high risk for PTSD and other mental health conditions due to cumulative trauma. Interventions are needed to address trauma in developing nurses.