PTSD is a significant concern in the nursing profession. Studies show nurses experience PTSD at rates much higher than those of the general population; 20% and 30% of nurses report symptoms consistent with PTSD, compared to approximately 6% to 8% of individuals in the general population (Duarte et al., 2020). PTSD in nurses during the COVID-pandemic has produced similar rates of veterans in combat during the War on Afghanistan (PTSD Resolution, n.d.). 

The increased prevalence of PTSD among nurses can be attributed to the nature of their work. Nurses are regularly exposed to emotionally draining, high-stakes situations such as:

• Witnessing severe injuries, deaths, or suffering

• Experiencing workplace violence or verbal abuse from patients or coworkers

• Working long hours in high-pressure environments, especially in emergency rooms or critical care units

• Managing large-scale crises like natural disasters or pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic (Shaukat et al., 2020).

Certain nursing specialties, such as emergency, intensive care, and psychiatric nursing, report even higher rates of PTSD due to the intensity of their roles. Additionally, nurses may experience “secondary traumatic stress,” which arises from empathizing with and caring for patients in distress over extended periods (Carmassi et al., 2020).

This page highlights the urgent need for systemic changes to support nurses' mental health and reduce the risk of PTSD in the profession. Efforts to address this issue include providing trauma-informed care training, access to counseling services, and creating supportive workplace environments.