The newly graduated nurse as a second victim

Abstract

Objective: To describe the prevalence of newly graduated nurses as second victims of adverse events and to know the conditions of support received in health institutions. Methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study. The population consisted of newly graduated nurses who agreed to answer the online questionnaire with questions related to being hired at the institution, involvement in adverse events and management of the second victim condition. Contacted was by email, intermediated by the Regional Nursing Council of São Paulo. Descriptive data analysis and the test of equality of proportions were performed. Results: The final sample consisted of 138 nurses, 54.3% were unaware of the term ‘second victim’, 44.9% were unaware of the existence of institutional protocols for emotional support to professionals and 26.8% were involved in adverse events. Of these, 94.6% presented emotional distress, frustration, guilt, sadness, stress, inability, embarrassment and insecurity to perform their duties at work as an outcome of the event; 59.5% received some type of support and 21.6% received institutional punishment. Conclusion: The prevalence of newly graduated nurses involved in adverse events was 26.8%, and among those who experienced this incident, the majority presented negative feelings and insecurity in performing their work as an outcome. After the event, most of the time, the support received came from work colleagues and significant others. Regarding institutional support, the need for programs for emotional support is also highlighted, so that these professionals can overcome when finding themselves in the place of the second victim.