Active endurance: an effective strategy for nurses to manage workplace violence

Workplace violence against nurses is a global concern that negatively impacts their professional lives, reducing productivity and quality of care. This study aimed to explore the strategies nurses use to manage workplace violence in the Iranian healthcare context.

This qualitative study employed an inductive content analysis approach. Sixteen nurses were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews conducted between August 2024 and March 2025. Data analysis was conducted concurrently with data collection through Elo and Kyngäs (2008) method. Through constant comparison, codes were categorized into subcategories manually, which were then synthesized into overarching themes to capture the broader meaning of the data.

The study included 16 nurses (7 men and 9 women) working in four hospitals across two urban areas in Iran. The primary strategy identified was "active endurance," comprising two main categories: "endurance reactions" and "seeking support." Endurance reactions included 5 strategies such as effective communication, providing appropriate care, empathy, anger management, and self-care. Seeking support included 3 strategies such as effective teamwork, requesting support, and striving for justice.

Active endurance involves 2 main strategies. Firstly nurses through effective communication, delivering appropriate care, self-care and anger management, try to manage violent situations. When circumstances are beyond their control, nurses attempt to obtain support from other members of the organization. This approach represents an active coping mechanism, wherein nurses neither passively tolerate violence nor react aggressively. Instead, they adopt strategies to manage and mitigate workplace violence. The findings of this study can inform interventions aimed at empowering nurses to effectively handle workplace violence and improve its management.

Not applicable.