Reducing Secondary Traumatic Stress by Implementing Debriefings for Inpatient Critical Care Nurses

Document Type

DNP - Open Access

Award Date

2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Graduate Nursing

First Advisor

Robin Arends

Second Advisor

Dannica Callies

Abstract

Background: Nurses can experience secondary traumatic stress (STS) due to job-related expectations as well as inadequate resources, high patient acuity, and insufficient protocols. These factors may cause healthcare organizations to overlook effective methods for mitigating STS in nurses. Failure to address STS may lead to increased job turnover, more sick calls, diminished confidence, and increased medical errors. 
Methodology: Debriefings were implemented after traumatic occupational events. The Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS), a 17-item scale, was administered to critical care nurses before and post-implementation of debriefings. The Moral Distress Thermometer was to be administered before and after each debriefing for each nurse. Results: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the change in STSS scores from pre-i post-implementation. The results of the Wilcoxon signed-rank test reported a two-sided p-value of 0.250. The subscales measure intrusion, avoidance, and arousal of the pre- and post-STSS survey showed the differences were insignificant. 
Discussion: Though no debriefings were held during this project, studies have shown debriefings need to be conducted as soon as possible after a traumatic occupational event to benefit nurses. Debriefings can improve team dynamics during traumatic events and may improve patient outcomes. 
Implications of Practice: Debriefings can identify areas for improvement, education needs for staff, and support for well-being after occupational traumatic events. Furthermore, debriefings contribute to increased job satisfaction, reduced stress levels, enhanced resiliency, and boosted confidence for critical care nurses.

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

Copyright © 2025 Christine M. Hilt

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