Inpatient Nurses' Perception of Workplace Violence Based on Specialty

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of inpatient nursing specialties on the perceptions of workplace violence.

The association between nursing specialty and the perception of workplace violence has not been identified.

An evaluation of inpatient nurses' perceptions of workplace violence at a single health system was conducted using a modified Survey of Violence Experienced by Staff instrument.

Of the respondents, 87.2% experienced workplace violence, of which 96.3% was patient related. Patient-initiated verbal abuse, threats, and physical assault frequency differed significantly based on specialty. Post hoc comparisons further elucidate the differences in specialty populations.

Workplace violence is a nursing concern; however, the frequency in which workplace violence occurs differs based on specialty. The frequency of threats and injuries to nursing staff was significantly higher in medical and trauma units.