Abstract
Background Healthcare providers as second victims witness significant patient or employee crises. Their intense emotional responses have been recognized by healthcare institutions. Purpose The study developed a literature- and expert-validated, evidence-based teaching plan and matching multiple-choice test for nursing staff and professional development educators. The teaching plan can structure educational sessions that disseminate content on second victim experiences. Methods The study used a mixed-method design to build an evidence-based teaching plan and multiple-choice test, and qualitative analysis of second victim literature to generate teaching plan components. Quantitative analysis was used to evaluate experts’ ranks on the teaching plan and pretest drafts. Results The mean pretest score was low, possibly showing that doctoral students may lack knowledge of the second victim phenomenon. Test statistics indicate the need for item revision. Conclusions Teaching sessions based on the revised teaching plan and test might raise awareness of aspects of the second victim experience and program among nursing staff and multidisciplinary team members.