Lack of Anonymity and Secondary Traumatic Stress in Rural Nurses

Purpose: The purpose was to determine the prevalence of lack anonymity (LA) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) among nurses; if nurses’ LA STS differ by population density examine relationship between STS.
 Design Method: A descriptive correlational study examined in a random sample 271 nurses from counties with differing densities (rural, micropolitan metropolitan) Midwestern US State. 3-group design used nurses, living working these counties. Data on anonymity, trauma demographics were collected through online questionnaires. 
 Findings: Rural had higher than metropolitan nurses. While rural either or there no difference three groups. Lack related; however, analysis revealed that are inversely correlated, indicating as increases, decreases. majority (90%) reported community prior their 18th birthday.
 Conclusions: experience at similar rates counterparts, may not be factor related development STS. appears have positive effect reducing nurses.
 Clinical Relevance: advanced understanding who live work different densities. social support within health care facilities communities play role mitigating effects indirect stress.
 Keywords: rural, nursing, stressDOI: https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v21i1.651