Violence In Nursing

Nurses are among an occupational position in which they are exposed to workplace violence. Nurses comprise a majority of the healthcare provided to patients. Due to their increased presence alongside patient care, they are exposed to a great deal of opportunities to be the target of workplace violence. They often spend more time with patients compared to other healthcare providers. This paper will discuss the widespread prevalence of workplace violence in nursing and the many ways it is present in the healthcare environment. Workplace violence in nursing can be seen in the form of physical, emotional, verbal abuse, bullying, sexual harassment, and threats (Chang, H.E. & Cho, S. (2016). It is important to discuss workplace violence in nursing
Nurses that are victim to violence in the workplace can experience loss of sleep, nightmares, and job dissatisfaction (Bordignon, M., Monteiro, M.I., 2016). Though these effects may not seem grand, if they are not resolved and continue, they can develop into mental health conditions. Nurses are faced with both mental and physical health negative outcomes following a violent occurrence in the workplace. Nurses experience “pain, sprain, hearing damage, palpitations, sleep disorders, stress, depression, fear of patients and/or visitors, and the feeling that the profession is not respected” (Bordignon, M., Monteiro, M.I., 2016). These attributes can lead to severe depression, anxiety, and helplessness in their own work environment. Not only is the nurse affected but so is the organization as a whole. When violence occurs among the nursing staff it can lead to an increase in intent to leave, job dissatisfaction, increased turnover rates, low staff morale, and increased absenteeism. It can also cause monetary repercussions to the organization in the form of property damage, workers comp, and litigations (Bordignon, M., Monteiro, M.I.,
Nurses become susceptible to workplace violence by the actions of patients, families, and other healthcare workers in both a horizontal and vertical form. The list is extensive when it comes to perpetrators of workplace violence in nursing. Nurses experience various avenues of violence as well, ranging from verbal to physical abuse. Both verbal and physical attacks have detrimental effects on the mental and physical health of the victimized nurse. When nurses walk into their place of work they typically walk in with a mind set to heal, help, and comfort. They sign up for this line of career to aid others and to be of assistance in the healthcare field. However, sometimes that mindset can be set astray when their workplace takes a fierce turn and they become the patient. The effect that violence has on healthcare is detrimental to not only patient care but to the stability and care of the