DNP Final Report: LIFTING THE SILENCE: PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS IN AIR MEDICAL CREW MEMBERS

Psychological stress among air medical crew members is a persistent concern with implications for workforce well-being, retention, and patient safety. Air medical transport environments are characterized by high-acuity clinical care, operational risk, irregular schedules, and repeated exposure to potentially traumatic events, all of which contribute to elevated stress levels. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice project was to evaluate the impact of a structured, evidence-based intervention designed to reduce psychological stress among air medical crew members within a single air medical transport program. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model, the project implemented a multimodal intervention incorporating education on psychological stress, peer support resources, and increased awareness of existing support services. Psychological stress was measured using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 before the intervention and at 30- and 90-day follow-up intervals. Descriptive analysis was used to evaluate changes in reported stress levels over time. Findings demonstrated a reduction in psychological stress scores following implementation of the intervention, suggesting that targeted education and structured peer support may positively influence stress outcomes in this population. These results support the integration of evidence-based psychological stress mitigation strategies into air medical operations and highlight the role of nursing leadership in promoting psychological well-being among high-risk healthcare professionals. Continued evaluation and expansion of similar interventions may contribute to improved resilience, retention, and overall workforce sustainability in air medical transport settings.