Consequences of workplace violence directed at nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Workplace violence (WPV) has significant consequences for nurses, perpetrators, and healthcare organizations.
• Existing literature lacks research on nurses' perceptions of WPV consequences in non-teaching hospital settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine nurses' perspectives on the consequences of workplace violence.
• To identify strategies for mitigating the impact of WPV incidents on nursing staff.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, exploratory qualitative approach was used.
• Data collected through surveys and interviews with nurses in a West Australian non-teaching hospital in 2006.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes emerged: consequences for nurses, perpetrators, and the organization.
• Sub-themes included nurses normalizing WPV, physical and emotional effects, feelings of incompetence, patient avoidance, organizational costs, adverse effects of restraint, and disrupted patient care.

Conclusions:

• Nurses experience numerous negative consequences from WPV.
• Recommendations are proposed to enhance hospital safety for both staff and patients.