Abstract
This qualitative descriptive study explored school nurses’ experiences of exposure to reports of trauma from those in their
care. Online interviews of school nurses practicing in NJ, USA, were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The study found that
school nurses were exposed to reports of others’ trauma to varying degrees, with those serving in urban settings reporting
more stories of exposure than those in suburban settings. Reports included numerous, layered traumas at the community and
individual levels, including students’ poverty-related adversity and psychological distress. Qualitative content analysis revealed
four categories: Health Office as Safe Haven, Challenges Working Within the School Model, Things That We Hear: Reports of
Trauma, and The Ripple Effect of Trauma. School-based challenges included a lack of collaboration, misunderstanding of the
school nurse’s role, and workload issues such as competing demands and limited time and resources. School nurses reported
focusing on the individual’s immediate needs and processing the experience afterward. They acknowledged they can only do
so much, and shared stories of coping and resilience. Additional education, resources, and support in addressing student
trauma can enhance the provision of school nursing services and support the well-being of school nurses, students, and
staff. Further research is warranted with a larger and more diverse sample of school nurses, including attention to school
nurse wellness and resilience strategies.