Suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempt among nurses

Nurs Outlook. 2025 Nov 29;74(1):102616. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2025.102616. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Global evidence suggests nurses experience disproportionate risk for suicide.

PURPOSE: Examine the current state of the science regarding suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempt(s) among nurses globally.

METHODS: A comprehensive and systematic search of the literature was conducted between November 2024 and January 2025. Electronic medical databases CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, and PubMed were systematically searched using defined MeSH terms and forward and backward searching. In total, 98 articles that examined suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and/or suicide attempt(s) among nurses globally were included.

DISCUSSION: Prevalence of historic suicidal ideation among nurse suicide decedents ranged from 36.6% to 38.3%. Prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation among living nurses ranged from 7% to 44.5%. Prevalence of lifetime suicide planning among living nurses was 3% and 17%. Prevalence of historic suicide attempt(s) among nurse suicide decedents ranged from 27.3% to 76%. Prevalence of lifetime suicide attempt(s) among living nurses ranged from 3.2% to 13.5%. A variety of factors were negatively and positively associated with suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempt(s) among nurses (e.g., mental and/or physical health concerns, burnout, workplace bullying and/or violence).

CONCLUSION: Accelerating research is important in building and expanding the evidence base. Moving toward standardized surveillance is also important, as consistent approaches may permit more meaningful within-country and cross-national comparisons, while also permitting examination of patterns and trends. However, because evidence suggested nurses may experience greater prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide planning, and suicide attempt when compared to the general population, it is important to engage both private and public sectors in implementing proactive screening and early intervention. Taken together, sustained surveillance is important in informing research, screening, intervention strategies, and population-level impact.

PMID:41319561 | DOI:10.1016/j.outlook.2025.102616