Traumatic and Routine Stressors Experienced by Emergency Nurses

Overview

Emergency nurses are frequently exposed to both traumatic events and routine work-related stressors due to the nature of emergency care settings. These experiences may have important emotional and psychological effects, which can influence nurses' well-being, job satisfaction, and quality of patient care. The aim of this study is to examine the frequency and emotional impact of traumatic and routine stressors experienced by emergency department nurses during the past six months. The study focuses on identifying common stressors and understanding how often these events occur and how strongly they affect nurses emotionally. This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted among emergency nurses working in public hospitals in Turkey. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that includes demographic questions and the Traumatic and Routine Stressors Scale (TRSS-TR), a validated instrument designed specifically for emergency nurses. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to a better understanding of occupational stress among emergency nurses and to support the development of strategies aimed at protecting nurses' mental health and improving working conditions in emergency care environments.

Emergency departments are high-intensity clinical environments where nurses are regularly exposed to traumatic events such as sudden death, severe injuries, violence, and resuscitation efforts, as well as routine stressors including high workload, time pressure, communication challenges with patients' relatives, and limitations in providing optimal care. While traumatic events are often sudden and emotionally intense, routine stressors may appear less severe but can accumulate over time and lead to significant psychological burden. This study was designed as an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional investigation to systematically examine both traumatic and routine stressors experienced by emergency department nurses and to evaluate the emotional impact of these experiences. The study was conducted in multiple public hospitals located in different regions of Turkey, reflecting the multi-center nature of emergency nursing practice. The study population consisted of registered nurses working in emergency departments. Eligibility criteria included having at least six months of experience in an emergency department and voluntary agreement to participate in the study. Nurses who met these criteria were invited to complete an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire. Data collection took place between September 1, 2025, and December 1, 2025. The questionnaire included two main components: a demographic information form and the Traumatic and Routine Stressors Scale - Turkish Version (TRSS-TR). The TRSS-TR is a validated and reliable instrument adapted for use among Turkish emergency nurses. The scale assesses both the frequency of exposure to specific traumatic and routine stressors during the past six months and the perceived emotional impact of each stressor. Responses are rated on Likert-type scales, allowing for quantitative analysis of stressor exposure and emotional burden. All data were collected anonymously using a secure online survey platform. Participation was entirely voluntary, and informed consent was obtained electronically from all participants prior to data collection. No identifying personal information was collected. Data analysis was performed using statistical software. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic characteristics and scale scores. Depending on data distribution, appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests were applied to examine relationships between stressor frequency, emotional impact, and selected demographic or occupational variables. Statistical significance was set at p \< 0.05. This study does not involve any intervention, experimental treatment, drug, or medical device. There are no anticipated physical or clinical risks to participants. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Agri Ibrahim Cecen University. The results are expected to provide evidence-based insights into occupational stress among emergency nurses and to inform future initiatives aimed at improving mental health support, workplace resilience, and organizational policies in emergency care settings.