Other Titles
PechaKucha Presentation
Abstract
Critical care nurses (CCNs) are a crucial part of the health care system, however, the long-term stressors and traumatic stress they are exposed to affect their health, well-being, and create work environments that make it difficult to provide safe and quality patient care. A healthy work environment for nurses will maximize the health and well-being of nurses, decrease burnout, lower turnover, and improve the quality of patient care[1]. There is limited evidence from previous studies carried out that can inform the selection of interventions to foster healthy work environments for nurses and manage traumatic stress[2,3].Therefore, indicating a critical need to develop system-level interventions in healthcare tailored to CCNs addressing the negative impact nurse-specific traumas have on nurses’ well-being and patient care[4]. The overall objectives of this study are to 1) explore the situations that lead to traumatic stress, 2) assess the behaviors currently used to cope with traumatic stress, and 3) obtain feedback from key stakeholders regarding solutions to support nurses’ well-being and establish a healthy work environment at a system-level.
Foli’s middle range theory of nurses’ psychological trauma was used in this study to understand the impact nurse-specific and nurse-patient-specific traumas have on CCNs’ well-being [5].
This ongoing study uses a concurrent, mixed-methods design. The primary data methods are qualitative interviews, in combination with surveys. Thematic analysis is being used to explore core components of traumatic stress experienced by CCNs. Univariate descriptive approaches to statistical analysis will be used for quantitative data, and integration will occur through weaving of qualitative and quantitative findings to triangulate critical care nurses’ experiences.
Preliminary results indicate critical care nurses experience high levels of burnout and traumatic stress. Current coping behaviors include compartmentalization, exercise, seeking family support, and dissociation from thoughts, feelings, and their work environment. Debriefing was identified as a potential solution to address traumatic stress and establishing a healthy work environment. Data collection is ongoing.
Notes
References:
1. Mabona, J.F., D. van Rooyen, and W. Ten Ham-Baloyi, Best practice recommendations for healthy work environments for nurses: An integrative literature review. Health SA, 2022. 27: p. 1788.
2. Melnyk, B.M., et al., Interventions to Improve Mental Health, Well-Being, Physical Health, and Lifestyle Behaviors in Physicians and Nurses: A Systematic Review. Am J Health Promot, 2020. 34(8): p. 929-941.
3. Robins-Browne, K., et al., Interventions to support the mental health and well-being of front-line healthcare workers in hospitals during pandemics: an evidence review and synthesis. BMJ Open, 2022. 12(11): p. e061317.
4. Brooks Carthon, J.M., et al., System-Level Improvements in Work Environments Lead to Lower Nurse Burnout and Higher Patient Satisfaction. J Nurs Care Qual, 2021. 36(1): p. 7-13.
5. Foli, K.J., A Middle-Range Theory of Nurses' Psychological Trauma. ANS Adv Nurs Sci, 2022. 45(1): p. 86-98.
Sigma Membership
Tau Iota
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Workforce, Stress, Coping
Recommended Citation
Holtz, Heidi K.; Weissinger, Guy; and Tessmer, Lindsay, "Supporting the Well-Being of Critical Care Nurses at a System-Level" (2025). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 83.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2025/presentations_2025/83
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Supporting the Well-Being of Critical Care Nurses at a System-Level
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Critical care nurses (CCNs) are a crucial part of the health care system, however, the long-term stressors and traumatic stress they are exposed to affect their health, well-being, and create work environments that make it difficult to provide safe and quality patient care. A healthy work environment for nurses will maximize the health and well-being of nurses, decrease burnout, lower turnover, and improve the quality of patient care[1]. There is limited evidence from previous studies carried out that can inform the selection of interventions to foster healthy work environments for nurses and manage traumatic stress[2,3].Therefore, indicating a critical need to develop system-level interventions in healthcare tailored to CCNs addressing the negative impact nurse-specific traumas have on nurses’ well-being and patient care[4]. The overall objectives of this study are to 1) explore the situations that lead to traumatic stress, 2) assess the behaviors currently used to cope with traumatic stress, and 3) obtain feedback from key stakeholders regarding solutions to support nurses’ well-being and establish a healthy work environment at a system-level.
Foli’s middle range theory of nurses’ psychological trauma was used in this study to understand the impact nurse-specific and nurse-patient-specific traumas have on CCNs’ well-being [5].
This ongoing study uses a concurrent, mixed-methods design. The primary data methods are qualitative interviews, in combination with surveys. Thematic analysis is being used to explore core components of traumatic stress experienced by CCNs. Univariate descriptive approaches to statistical analysis will be used for quantitative data, and integration will occur through weaving of qualitative and quantitative findings to triangulate critical care nurses’ experiences.
Preliminary results indicate critical care nurses experience high levels of burnout and traumatic stress. Current coping behaviors include compartmentalization, exercise, seeking family support, and dissociation from thoughts, feelings, and their work environment. Debriefing was identified as a potential solution to address traumatic stress and establishing a healthy work environment. Data collection is ongoing.
Description
Given that CCNs experience high levels of traumatic stress in their clinical roles, which can lead to a decline in well-being and quality of patient care, CCN’s traumatic stress must be acknowledged and addressed. Findings will help hospital systems and nurse leaders understand and respond with system-level interventions to support CCN well-being.