By Patricia A. Rowell, PhD, RN, CNS
Expiration Date: December 31, 2011
Abstract
Of two major types of trauma – interpersonal and non-interpersonal – the most common, for most employees, is interpersonal trauma. This trauma can come from being the recipient of actual violence from one person upon another, e.g., rape or beating, observing violent acts of one person upon another, e.g., fights or stabbings, or being demeaned and berated by someone of influence in one’s life. All of these actions can be a threat or perceived threat to one’s safety and well being. The target person’s physiology, behaviors, and thoughts can change so that the person may suffer from a variety of symptoms – some short- term, some chronic, or none at all. Why some persons suffer sequelae and others do not remains an unanswered question even though some hints are being identified.
Nursing can help make a difference in the outcomes of such events; however, the impact of such events on the nurse and other care providers is not insignificant. It is these helpers of the sick, angry, or traumatized who are often primarily or secondarily traumatized without their trauma being recognized by others. Without recognition of the impact of the trauma, the treatment they need and deserve is often not received. So often the nurses who are traumatized see violence as an everyday part of their jobs, therefore, it is not reported or the impact is not consciously recognized.
Due to the seriousness of the problems associated with primary and secondary trauma to nurses, this module will discuss the impact, prevention, and treatment relative to interpersonal violence.
Objectives:
On successful completion of this independent study module, the learner will be able to:
- Describe secondary traumatization to care providers.
- Describe the signs of stress and anxiety disorders associated with secondary traumatization.
- Discuss interventions which assist the victim to deal with the sequelae of secondary traumatization.
- Discuss prevention strategies.
The American Nurses Association Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
ANA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider number CEP6178.
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