4016.2-25: Mental Health Support for Community Health Nursing Teams Experiencing Secondary or Vicarious Trauma

This presentation explores how community health nursing teams experience secondary trauma from prolonged exposure to clients' traumatic experiences. Research and case studies highlight emotional distress affecting nurse well-being and retention, emphasizing the need for embedded mental health support within the team including counseling, peer support, and interventions.    

Presenters:  Karmie M. Johnson, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, CNE; Candace Knight, PhD, RN, FAAN

Disclosures:  The APNA planners and faculty have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. Off-label uses will not be discussed during this presentation.

Session Length:  30 minutes

Target Audience:  RN, APRN

Learning Outcome:
Upon completion of this presentation, the participant will be able to:

• Identify two key risk factors for community health nurses experiencing secondary trauma. 

Key Takeaway(s): 

• Trauma impacts community health nursing teams.
• Incorporating a mental health team to support community health nurses improves their practice and well-being.

Keywords:  Secondary Trauma, Community Health Nurses, Integrated Mental Health Team

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
0.5 contact hours.  * In order to receive contact hours, you must: Listen to the entire presentation, complete the reflection activity, evaluation, and honor statement before the expiration date. Once all steps are successfully completed, a certificate will be generated online and available for you to print immediately. Contact hours cannot be awarded unless all required components are completed. 

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Release Date:  January 6, 2026
Access to this course will end:  December 1, 2028

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