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Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses have faced various nurse-specific traumas in their workplaces, but there is limited understanding of the resulting outcomes and factors that contribute to them. Objective: To address this gap, the study employed the middle-range theory of nurses' psychological trauma (NPT) to examine these relationships among frontline nurses working in critical care areas. Methods: In a quantitative cross-sectional study, the study compared nurses identified as probable cases of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with those identified as not probable cases. The study investigated the nurse-specific traumas they experienced, their individual personality traits, and the buffers they possessed. The study also sought to identify specific types of nurse-specific traumas that could be associated with negative outcomes, such as alcohol and drug use. Results: It was found that PTSD-probable nurses reported higher levels of trauma from disasters and system/medically induced trauma compared to not-probable nurses. They also experienced more nonwork-related humankind traumas and displayed lower resilience. Furthermore, PTSD-probable nurses identified with trait urgency and trait avoidance motivation. Additionally, trauma from disasters was associated with alcohol use. Conclusion: The study highlights the elevated levels of trauma, lower resilience, and specific psychological traits associated with PTSD-probable nurses, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and support to mitigate the negative outcomes experienced by frontline nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use disorders (SUDs) in nursing have individual well-being, patient safety, and licensure/regulatory implications. Literature is scarce related to predicting SUDs in registered nurses; this study included specific items surrounding nurses' psychological trauma. An online survey, consisting of validated scales and investigator-generated items was distributed to 4,000 registered nurses in Indiana with a yield of 1,478 surveys. The World Health Organization: Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was used as the dependent variable to assess risk of SUDs. Three multivariate regression models with predictive variables for risk of tobacco (R 2 = 0.08), alcohol (R 2 = 0.09), and other substances (R 2 = 0.10) use were found. Of concern, nurses are at moderate risk for tobacco use at 11.6%; alcohol use at 11.6% and for other substances at 10.4%. Each regression model contained distinct predictor variables; however, variables occurring in all three models were: depression, anxiety, and items surrounding psychological trauma (adverse childhood experiences, life events, lateral workplace violence). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe the experiences of frontline nurses who are working in critical care areas during the COVID‐19 pandemic with a focus on trauma and the use of substances as a coping mechanism. Design: A qualitative study based on content analysis. Methods: Data were collected from mid‐June 2020 to early September 2020 via an online survey. Nurses were recruited through the research webpage of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses as well as an alumni list from a large, public Midwest university. Responses to two open‐ended items were analysed: (1) personal or professional trauma the nurse had experienced; and (2) substance or alcohol use, or other mental health issues the nurse had experienced or witnessed in other nurses. Results: For the item related to psychological trauma five themes were identified from 70 nurses' comments: (1) Psychological distress in multiple forms; (2) Tsunami of death; (3) Torn between two masters; (4) Betrayal; and (5) Resiliency/posttraumatic growth through self and others. Sixty‐five nurses responded to the second item related to substance use and other mental health issues. Data supported three themes: (1) Mental health crisis NOW!!: 'more stressed than ever and stretched thinner than ever'; (2) Nurses are turning to a variety of substances to cope; and (3) Weakened supports for coping and increased maladaptive coping due to ongoing pandemic. Conclusions: This study brings novel findings to understand the experiences of nurses who care for patients with COVID‐19, including trauma experienced during disasters, the use of substances to cope and the weakening of existing support systems. Findings also reveal nurses in crisis who are in need of mental health services. Impact: Support for nurses' well‐being and mental health should include current and ongoing services offered by the organization and include screening for substance use issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]