Date of Award
Fall 12-14-2024
Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
School of Nursing
Abstract
Problem Statement: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are experiencing increasing rates of symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), particularly after the collective trauma many nurses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses are often unaware of this problem and are underdiagnosed which can negatively impact their health and the quality of healthcare.
Purpose: Implement and determine the effect of an educational intervention to increase awareness and symptom recognition of PTSD among high-risk acute care nurses.
Methods: An outcome evaluation approach using a pretest-posttest design was used with an educational intervention that provided information on PTSD including high-risk groups, symptoms, and protective factors.
Sample: Intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency department (ED) registered nurses (RNs) recruited from a tertiary referral medical center with level one trauma status.
Analysis: Demographic data of the participants and pre-test and post-test results were statistically analyzed using paired t-tests to determine the effect of the educational initiative. The p-value was determined to be less than a significance level of 0.05 indicating an increase in knowledge of PTSD awareness and symptoms after the educational intervention.
Implications for Practice: Increasing awareness and symptom recognition of PTSD in RNs may lead to earlier recognition or prevention among nurses. This project supports educational interventions as an effective means of raising awareness which can positively impact their mental health, the organization, and improve quality of patient care.
Recommended Citation
Kincaid, Caroline and Larkey, Logan, "Raising Awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Critical Care and Emergency Department Nurses" (2024). Doctoral Projects. 17.
https://digitalcommons.lmunet.edu/dnpprojects/17
