Integrating trauma-informed care in nursing practice and education: A hybrid systematic narrative review

AIM: This study aims to synthesize and analyze a trauma-informed care (TIC) framework and its applications in nursing practice and education.

DESIGN: This study employed a hybrid systematic narrative review.

METHODS: Eligible studies were reviewed following the hybrid systematic narrative review guidelines. Peer-reviewed articles published in English between January 2015 and June 2024 were included. These articles were retrieved from CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies were also included. All the included studies underwent data synthesis, analysis and quality assessment.

RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included: twelve studies examined trauma-informed care (TIC) in nursing practice and four focused on nursing education. Four primary frameworks were identified, with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) framework being the most referenced. Most nurses held positive attitudes toward TIC, although their knowledge levels were generally moderate. Educational interventions significantly improved the TIC skills of nursing students. Although TIC offers substantial benefits, its implementation remains challenging. These challenges include time constraints, limited resources and concerns regarding potential re-traumatization.

CONCLUSION: Nurses generally showed positive attitudes toward TIC; however, significant knowledge gaps and implementation barriers remained. Addressing these challenges by incorporating TIC into nursing education could enhance nursing competencies. Standardized TIC education is essential for improving clinical practice and optimizing patient outcomes. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of TIC in diverse healthcare settings and develop strategies to support nurses in high-pressure environments. Expanding and deepening TIC curricula holds significant potential for enhancing care quality and fostering a trauma-informed healthcare system.