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. 2024 Dec 1;54(12):649-656.
doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000001508. Epub 2024 Nov 5.

National Incidence of Nurse Suicide and Associated Features

Judy E Davidson  1 , Hirsh Makhija, Kelly C Lee, Arianna Barnes, Marcus Groner Richardson, Amanda Choflet, Tatyana Ali, Sidney Zisook
Affiliations

National Incidence of Nurse Suicide and Associated Features

Judy E Davidson et al. J Nurs Adm. .

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the national incidence of nurse suicide.

Background: Nurses are at a higher risk of suicide than nonnurses; however, data have been limited since 2018.

Methods: This study used a retrospective cohort design using 2017-2021 National Violent Death Reporting System suicides.

Results: Female nurses had higher suicide rates than female nonnurses in 2018 (incidence rate ratio, 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05-1.39]), 2019 (1.41 [95% CI, 1.23-1.60]), 2020 (1.26 [95% CI, 1.08-1.45]), and 2021 (1.35 [95% CI, 1.17-1.55]), whereas male nurses were comparable with male nonnurses. Nurses had higher odds of mental health problems (adjusted odds ratio, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.13-1.46], P < .001), job problems (1.60 [95% CI, 1.33-1.92], P < .001), and use of poisoning (1.54 [95% CI, 1.37-1.74], P < .001). Nurses had higher odds of using opioids, cardiovascular/diabetic agents, and drugs not prescribed for home use.

Conclusion: Female nurses are at a higher risk of suicide than other females. Multimodal nurse suicide prevention strategies remain indicated.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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