Faculty, Preceptor, and Students' Perceptions of the Need for Trauma-Informed Education: Recommendations for Implementation.

Abstract

The widespread physical, mental, and emotional health impacts of trauma are well established. Trauma-informed care (TIC) is an approach that uses knowledge about trauma and its effects to create safe care environments. Using a concurrent mixed-methods design, this study assessed faculty, preceptor, and students' perceptions about the need for TIC content in nursing education. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 faculty, and cross-sectional survey data were collected from a nonprobability sample of 99 nursing students at a large Midwestern university to evaluate the need for education on TIC. Faculty and preceptors stressed the importance of education on TIC and discussed barriers and facilitators to implementation. Nursing students reported that it is important to learn about TIC, yet do not feel prepared to provide TIC. The results illustrate the need for nursing content on TIC and provide recommendations for trauma-informed educational practices.