Secondary traumatic stress in nurses working with patients with suspected/confirmed COVID‐19 in Turkey

Purpose This study aimed to determine the level of secondary traumatic stress in nurses (n = 205) working with patients with suspected or confirmed COVID‐19 in Turkey. Design and Methods Data were collected using the personal information form and Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale. Findings Of the total sample, 62% were female and 52% of nurses were in the 20‐ to 30‐years age range. 67.8% of the nurses experienced high and severe secondary traumatic stress symptoms, the mean score was 49.66 ± 0.86. At the level of secondary traumatic stress subscales, the highest average score was avoidance symptom (20.09 ± 5.06). Practice Implications More than half of the nurses experienced high and severe secondary traumatic stress where the highest symptom “avoidance.” The nurses may need psychosocial support during and after the pandemic.