Secondary Traumatic Stress in Nurses Who Care for Traumatized Women

Each year, thousands of women experience violence, and many of these are survivors of intimate partner violence. Each year, thousands of nurses provide physical and emotional care to these women. Nurses and employers need to recognize that exposures to traumatized women place nurses at risk for the development of secondary traumatic stress disorder. This article describes secondary traumatic stress, its risk factors, and its consequences. Workplace interventions and policies are recommended to reduce the avoidance, numbness, intrusive imagery, and other negative symptoms associated with secondary traumatic stress disorder.