Background: Emergency room (ER) nurses are frequently exposed to traumatic events (TE) at work. These events can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Aim: The goal of the present study was to describe the factors associated with PTSD symptoms.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was used. The sample consisted of 35 nurses from an ER in Québec (Canada). Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires.
Results: TEs presenting a grief component (e.g. intentional injury to a child and patient suicide) are positively associated with peritraumatic distress (PD) in the days after the event. PD is positively associated with PTSD symptoms. Two personality traits (neuroticism and extraversion) should also be considered. Neuroticism is positively associated with PD whereas extraversion is negatively associated with PD and PTSD symptoms.
Conclusion: The results are consistent with the literature, but some of these results are new to nurses. They suggest that in this population, TEs in the ER represent 'red flags'. Their occurrence should mobilise support structures. PD and its personality traits are also key factors to consider.
Implication for nursing management: To provide adequate support for nurses, ER managers should be on the alert for these conditions. Interventions should be adapted to these findings.
Keywords: ER nurses; nurses; post-traumatic stress disorder; work stress.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.