Experiences of Newly Graduate Nurses With Workplace Violence: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Workplace violence is a significant concern for healthcare professionals.
• Newly graduated nurses are particularly vulnerable to experiencing workplace violence.
• Existing research lacks a synthesized qualitative understanding of new nurses' experiences with workplace violence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively synthesize the experiences of newly graduated nurses regarding workplace violence.
• To identify the forms, coping mechanisms, and effects of workplace violence on new nurses.
• To develop a conceptual model of workplace violence in nursing.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative meta-synthesis approach was employed.
• Systematic literature searches were conducted across eight major databases.
• Thematic synthesis was used to analyze data from 18 included qualitative studies.

Main Results:

• Five forms of workplace violence were identified.
• New nurses utilized four distinct coping strategies.
• Five domains of consequences were reported, impacting personal and professional well-being.
• A conceptual model depicted workplace violence as a cyclical, systemically reinforced process.

Conclusions:

• Newly graduated nurses experience cyclical and systemic workplace violence.
• Current coping mechanisms provide only temporary relief and do not address root causes.
• Lasting negative effects necessitate both individual and organizational interventions to disrupt the cycle of violence.