PTSD Awareness

Published

Specializes in Transport Nursing/SCTU(In Progress).

Hello all;

I know this is a touchy topic, however being in nursing school and having PTSD I notice that a lot of students really have no idea and the instructors more or so see it as a "dirty word" for lack of a better term.

How do I bring PTSD into the picture. I've worked in healthcare since 2011 in the pre-hospital/EMS environment. The students are generally sheltered and I believe I am one of three who has EMS experience. My fellow students more or so think Nursing is hard work but not emotionally traumatic, which we all know it can be.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How do you want to bring it in to the picture? Do you want to discuss your own PTSD, or approach it from a nursing perspective, toward the patient?

Also, don't assume just because you are an EMT and the other students are nursing students, they do not know about, or have not experienced PTSD. EMTs don't have a corner on that market.

I'm not saying that's what you were saying, but it's how I read it. Can you clarify, please?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

I agree with Farawyn, clarification is needed.

Frankly, a good many people walk around everyday with undiagnosed PTSD and not all of them are veterans.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello all;

I know this is a touchy topic, however being in nursing school and having PTSD I notice that a lot of students really have no idea and the instructors more or so see it as a "dirty word" for lack of a better term.

How do I bring PTSD into the picture. I've worked in healthcare since 2011 in the pre-hospital/EMS environment. The students are generally sheltered and I believe I am one of three who has EMS experience. My fellow students more or so think Nursing is hard work but not emotionally traumatic, which we all know it can be.

I'm liking this so it gets bumped up and people see it. I think PTSD is an extremely important issue. I hope you look at the responses and weigh in again, OP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My sister and BIL both have PTSD (they served in Afghanistan). Hers is more severe because she had some traumatic experiences in her life before Afghanistan, and her PTSD is coupled with depression. Thankfully, she sought help a few years back when she returned to the States, and she sees a therapist frequently. She also is on an SSRI, I believe.

ETA: I've been scared for her. She called me one night crying and saying how she thought everyone would be better off without her. I'm no professional when it comes to talking someone down, but I let her express her feelings and reminded her that she is loved and is a strong, incredible woman. No idea if this is how you deal with that kind of situation, but I wasn't sure what to do. She is doing much better these days.

I just realized my post had nothing to do with the OP. Sorry. I'll still leave the post up though, if no one minds.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm so sorry. Thank God she reached out for you.

I don't know what the answer is. My first point is to make sure the person is safe. If they are in crisis, I mean.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OP, where did you go? I would really like to talk about this.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I have PTSD from being a DV and gun violence survivor; traumatic events and the sensations and feeling of trauma are triggered usually from stressful events.

In my nursing programs PN and BSN had a really good way of discussing PTSD; ironically, I did go through my BSN program after my survival of trauma and there were times that I was triggered; even one of my nursing instructors noticed and pulled me aside in a supportive way to find out what was happening, even though I tried to hide it and failed miserably.

I was able to pass boards and I did struggle with it during my first RN year; I went to get help medication-wise and also was going through EDMR therapy and still needed medication therapy-I'm supposed to be tapering off meds soon.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Transport Nursing/SCTU(In Progress).

I apologize for the delay. Unfortunately life happens. To clarify:

I am in no way saying that Nurses don't experience PTSD. I apologize for not clarifying.

What I want to bring attention to in retrospect are emotional toll being a nurse can be. A lot of my fellow peers in class do not work in healthcare, they are just getting out of high school and have only a stereotypical notion of what nursing and the healthcare field in general is like.

Again I apologize for the delay in my response. I became very tied up with school, work, and purchasing my first house.

I also apologize for not clarifying enough and being more specific.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Transport Nursing/SCTU(In Progress).

I apologize for not clarifying earlier. Unfortunately I became extraordinarily busy.

I am in no way assuming that others do not have PTSD, however I believe it might be safe to assume that some do not have it and are very naïve about the nursing career and the emotional trauma it entails.

I wanted to bring attention to PTSD to that select audience. I generally assumed that I was clear in my writings, however I was not and I apologize for sounding so arrogant in my post.

Again my apologies and thank you for all your replies. It is greatly appreciated on my part.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No apologies.

What did you want to discuss?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion