Hear Our Story: Two Nurse Anesthesia Residents’ Experience with Second Victim Phenomenon (1 Class A CE)

Two resident registered nurse anesthetists (RRNAs) share their experience with second victim phenomenon after a patient death in the OR. They share interventions that were performed during the immediate post-event time period to help them overcome second victim phenomenon, the importance of peer behavior vigilance, and awareness of emotions following a traumatic experience. Evidence based recommendations for institutional protocols, post-event assistance, a review of warning signs of suicide, and actions for accessing assistance will be discussed. Personal experience and current research presented will encourage early peer assistance after a traumatic event, which may stop the progression of second victim phenomenon and decrease the incidence of depression, burn-out, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicide.