Prehospital Emergency Nurses' coping strategies associated to traumatic experiences

Abstract

Background: Prehospital care constitutes a work environment in which Prehospital Emergency Nurses (PENs) are exposed to traumatic situations that can lead to stress and increase their vulnerability to stress reactions. PENs' coping strategies after traumatic experiences have been little explored, which suggests that an investigation leading to a deeper understanding of their coping strategies is needed.

Aim: To investigate and describe PENs' coping strategies after traumatic experiences.

Method: A descriptive, inductive design with a qualitative research approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using Graneheim and Lundman's method of content analysis. Twelve PENs were interviewed.

Results: The main theme that emerged was: "a professional approach supports coping strategies for traumatic experiences". Being unprepared increases the feeling of vulnerability when facing a traumatic event, even though PENs acknowledge that traumatic events are unavoidable in their profession. Previous experiences and mental preparation help PENs to keep focused. To be able to act professionally, PENs distance themselves, thus acquiring a sense of control. Inter-professional teamwork can reduce the sense of aloneness.

Conclusion: PENs' coping involves several strategies. Their own processing and understanding of an experience are crucial for the management of their own feelings, also affecting the care that PENs can offer the next patient. This study emphasises that a professional approach is the strongest coping strategy after traumatic events.

Keywords: Coping; EMS; Nursing; Prehospital emergency nurses; Professional development; Traumatic events.