Exploring Nurses' Knowledge and Experiences Related to Trauma-Informed Care. (6th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stokes, Yehudis; Jacob, Jean-Daniel; Gifford, Wendy; Squires, Janet; Vandyk, Amanda
• Is Part Of: Global qualitative nursing research. Volume 4(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-10-06
• Subjects: nursing -- qualitative analysis -- qualitative descriptive design -- relationships -- trauma -- trauma-informed care; Nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; Qualitative research -- Periodicals; Nursing Research; Qualitative Research; Nursing -- Research; Qualitative research; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1177/2333393617734510
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2333-3936

Abstract

Trauma-informed care is an emerging concept that acknowledges the lasting effects of trauma. Nurses are uniquely positioned to play an integral role in the advancement of trauma-informed care. However, knowledge related to trauma-informed care in nursing practice remains limited. The purpose of this article is to present the results of a qualitative study which explored nurses' understandings and experiences related to trauma-informed care. Seven semistructured interviews were conducted with nurses and four categories emerged from the analysis: (a) Conceptualizing Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care, (b) Nursing Care and Trauma, (c) Context of Trauma-Informed Care, and (d) Dynamics of the Nurse–Patient Relationship in the Face of Trauma. These findings highlight important considerations for trauma-informed care including the complex dynamics of trauma that affect care, the need to push knowledge about trauma beyond mental health care, and noteworthy parallels between nursing care and trauma-informed care.