Mark Wilkinson1, Nigel Cox2, Gary Witham2, Carol Haigh3. 1. Stroke Nurse Consultant, Department of Stroke Medicine, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK. 2. Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health, Psychology and Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. 3. Professor of Nursing, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
Abstract
Background: Secondary traumatic stress (STS) has been defined as the stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatised or suffering person. The hyperacute nature of stroke specialist nurses' work places them at risk of developing STS. Aims: To explore the factors that are influential in stroke specialist nurses' experience of STS development within hyperacute practice. Methods: This study is qualitative with a narrative design. Data were collected from a purposive sample of stroke specialist nurses (20 female and 2 male) working in hyperacute services during the years 2016 and 2017. Data were analysed using Polkinghorne's approach. Results: This research identified four themes: exposure to acute suffering and death- young presentations; moral distress; interactions with relatives and problematic healthcare systems. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that stroke specialist nurses are exposed to multiple triggers which are commensurate with the potential for STS development. The findings contribute a new understanding of the emotional burden of hyperacute specialist stroke nursing that has implications for patient safety and satisfaction, services provision and staff well-being.
Background: Secondary traumatic stress (STS) has been defined as the stress resulting from helping or wanting to help a traumatised or suffering person. The hyperacute nature of stroke specialist nurses' work places them at risk of developing STS. Aims: To explore the factors that are influential in stroke specialist nurses' experience of STS development within hyperacute practice. Methods: This study is qualitative with a narrative design. Data were collected from a purposive sample of stroke specialist nurses (20 female and 2 male) working in hyperacute services during the years 2016 and 2017. Data were analysed using Polkinghorne's approach. Results: This research identified four themes: exposure to acute suffering and death- young presentations; moral distress; interactions with relatives and problematic healthcare systems. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that stroke specialist nurses are exposed to multiple triggers which are commensurate with the potential for STS development. The findings contribute a new understanding of the emotional burden of hyperacute specialist stroke nursing that has implications for patient safety and satisfaction, services provision and staff well-being.