Potential Impact

Trauma-informed pedagogy (TIP) fosters environments of safety, trust, and empowerment, which enhances the academic, emotional, and professional development of nursing students. The following list presents key impacts supported by current literature, including specific examples and supporting evidence.

Academic and Professional Outcomes

• Improved academic performance and retention

  • Example: Hispanic students at a trauma-informed Hispanic Serving Institution had higher A/B grade rates (88%) than other racial groups (72%) after trauma-informed changes.

  • Evidence: (Patton & Caffrey, 2023)

• Increased self-efficacy and confidence in learning

  • Example: Students in trauma-informed mental health nursing courses reported feeling more confident due to transparency in course structure and collaborative learning.

  • Evidence: (Bosse et al., 2021; Cavanaugh, 2016)

• Strengthened critical thinking and reflective skills

  • Example: Students reported better reflective processing of clinical experiences when given opportunities for emotional safety and structured debriefing.

  • Evidence: (Levine Brown et al., 2023; Najjar & Ackerman-Barger, 2024)

• Improved transition into professional nursing practice

  • Example: Medical students in trauma-sensitive environments felt empowered to speak up and seek feedback in emotionally charged clinical settings.

  • Evidence: (Appel et al., 2024; Green, 2022)

• Decreased secondary trauma symptoms and distress

  • Example: Undergraduate nursing students exposed to TIP reported lower secondary traumatic stress levels.

  • Evidence: (MacLochlainn et al., 2022; Mayer et al., 2023)

• Development of compassionate, trauma-informed nursing care

  • Example: Students trained under trauma-sensitive clinical models demonstrated greater empathy and patient-centered care.

  • Evidence: (Bourassa et al., 2024; Green, 2022)

Student Well-Being and Engagement

• Improved emotional well-being and resilience

  • Example: Students reported increased ability to cope with stress and overwhelming assignments after trauma-informed classroom adaptations.

  • Evidence: (Imad, 2021; MacLochlainn et al., 2022; Mayer et al., 2023)

• Reduced burnout and compassion fatigue

  • Example: Faculty and students both showed decreases in ProQOL burnout subscale scores after trauma-informed training. 

  • Evidence: (MacLochlainn et al., 2022; Green, 2022)

• Increased classroom engagement and motivation

  • Example: TIP strategies like choice in assignments and consistent feedback led to more active participation. 

  • Evidence: (Carello & Butler, 2015; Bosse et al., 2021; Avery et al., 2020)

• Improved student behaviors and emotional regulation

  • Example: De-escalation strategies and co-regulation models helped prevent emotional shutdowns in high-stress learning. 

  • Evidence: (Cavanaugh, 2016; SAMHSA, 2014)

• Strengthened student-faculty relationships based on trust and safety

  • Example: Students reported greater willingness to disclose learning challenges when instructors demonstrated understanding of trauma. 

  • Evidence: (Appel et al., 2024; Doughty, 2020)

Inclusion, Equity, and Clinical Impact

• Promotion of equity and inclusive learning environments

  • Example: TIP helped students from historically excluded backgrounds feel safer and more understood in the classroom.

  • Evidence: (Najjar & Ackerman-Barger, 2024; Patton & Caffrey, 2023; Wholeben et al., 2023)

• Increased awareness of and sensitivity to trauma among peers and patients

  • Example: Students learned to recognize signs of distress in classmates and patients, leading to more supportive peer and clinical interactions.

  • Evidence: (Mayer et al., 2022; Najjar & Ackerman-Barger, 2024)

• Improved quality of patient care and therapeutic presence

  • Example: Nursing students reported using trauma-informed communication in clinicals, resulting in more positive patient responses. 

  • Evidence: (Bourassa et al., 2024; Levine Brown et al., 2023)

• Empowerment, agency, and leadership in learning

  • Example: Students given voice and choice in classroom expectations demonstrated greater ownership of learning. 

  • Evidence: (Arbour et al., 2023; Bosse et al., 2021)

Thank you for dedicating your time to completing Caring for Caregivers. Your commitment to fostering safe, supportive, and empowering learning environments makes a meaningful difference in the lives of nursing students.