PTSD & Nurses

SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2014

When I worked at a major military medical facility, nursing was routinely screened for PTSD. We cared for Soldiers who had endured significant traumas. Hearing their stories repeatedly put us at high risk for what we called "Secondhand PTSD"--we didn't experience the trauma, but we were a kind of witness to it. I don't know of any groups that are in existance for nurses who suffer from work-induced PTSD, but I do know it's much, much more common than you'd think. Perhaps your friend and the other nurse she met could start a group of some sort?

toomuchbaloney · Jul 17, 2014

It is pretty common in the US for employers to throw away nurses who suffer psychological harm in the course of their work, in my experience.

caliotter3 · Jul 17, 2014

It is pretty common in the US for employers to throw away nurses who suffer psychological harm in the course of their work, in my experience.

Amen.

HollyLynn14 · Jul 18, 2014

When I worked at a major military medical facility, nursing was routinely screened for PTSD. We cared for Soldiers who had endured significant traumas. Hearing their stories repeatedly put us at high risk for what we called "Secondhand PTSD"--we didn't experience the trauma, but we were a kind of witness to it. I don't know of any groups that are in existance for nurses who suffer from work-induced PTSD, but I do know it's much, much more common than you'd think. Perhaps your friend and the other nurse she met could start a group of some sort?

Aint that the truth..then again, look at how the VA handles it. I can personally testify to both accounts. You are better off having the big "C" in this country than a mental illness.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Jul 24, 2014

I don't know of anything outside of the USA. Perhaps starting with a local mental health provider and going from there. I know of many nurses who have suffered emotional and/or physical damage from their jobs (myself included).

allnurses Guide · Jul 29, 2014

I've known one nurse who was able to use Workers Compensation to take a leave for stress. Her BP was extremely elevated. The leave lasted only a few weeks until medication brough the BP under comtrol.

Our Board of Registered Nursing has a program for RNs with a mental health or substance abuse illness. RNs who request will be evaluated. Two RNs i know self diagnosed their PTSD and were accepted into the program. They didn't have to tell their employer because no one had reported them to the board.

After beginning treatment both decided to resign that job and look for work at another facility.

Board of Registered Nursing - Diversion Frequently Asked Questions

When we renew out license a portion of the fee goes to the Diversion program. There are also support groups for RNs and LVNs. They are open to any nurse who wants to attend.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/pdfs/diversion/nsglist.pdf

Perhaps other states also have programs to help nurses.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 30, 2014

We could ALL claim PTSD.. nursing is brutal.Exposure to psychological harm is what we signed up for.

It is not a surprise that the union or hospital would not support the nurse. It's all about the MONEY.

This is why we have malpractice insurance. To literally lay down and DIE over an 18 year old case is crazy. Lawyer up and move on.