Latvian Nursing Students' Experience of Workplace Violence During Clinical Placement

To explore workplace violence (WPV) amongst Latvian undergraduate nursing students during clinical placements.

Workplace violence has profound consequences. Nursing students on placement are often victims of non-verbal and verbal abuse, physical or sexual violence, causing psychological problems, hindering their professional identity and causing them to leave the nursing profession. Numerous studies indicate the problem's extent, yet reporting in the Baltic region has been absent in the literature.

Cross-sectional survey.

This study, conducted October to December 2023, was based on similar studies in Australia and the UK, using a validated 4-point Likert scale with 24 questions assessing WPV. Questions were uploaded to a commercial internet survey provider, distributed across three universities providing nursing programs in Latvia. Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Latvia's Ethics Committee. Participation was voluntary, involving 119 students (21% from three universities).

STROBE checklist: cross-sectional studies.

The majority of nursing students (52.9%) on placement experienced bullying (n = 63). Perpetrators included registered nurses and patients. Exposure included negative non-verbal behaviour (69.8%, n = 83), being ignored (55.5%, n = 66), neglected (52.1%, n = 62), and unfairly criticized (51.3%, n = 61). Only 13.4% (n = 16) reported these episodes. There was a significant association between bullying and students considering leaving the nursing profession.

Latvian nursing students experience various forms of WPV, including emotional bullying (e.g., negative non-verbal behaviour, being ignored, neglected, unfairly criticized, verbally abused), physical abuse (e.g., being pushed), sexual harassment (e.g., inappropriate touching, sexist remarks). The lack of reporting may result in unresolved issues for both students and nursing profession.

Clinical nurses working directly in healthcare settings and academic facilitators/lecturers involved in teaching and training should collaborate on implementing targeted training programs addressing WPV. This ensures that both practical and theoretical WPV-handling aspects are covered comprehensively.

None.