Posttraumatic Stress among Critical Care and Emergency Nurses

Hospitals are stressful places of employment due to the increased complexity and demands of most job descriptions, the unpredictable changes in one¿s daily work routine, and common encounters with ethical dilemmas and end-of-life issues. Of all various types of hospital employees, nurses are often exposed to many of these stressors and may be predisposed to develop work-related psychological disorders such as symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD negatively affects the workplace resulting in occupational impairments that not only affect the individual but also the entire healthcare team. Nurse managers need to take a proactive role in the prevention, identification & treatment of this problem with their staff.