Work Place Violence in Nursing

Abstract

Violence against nurses is a complex and persistent occupational hazard facing the nursing profession. Paradoxically, the job sector with the mission to care for people appears to be at the highest risk of workplace violence. Nurses are among the most assaulted workers in Health Care industry. Too frequently, nurses are exposed to violence – primarily from patients, patients’ families, visitors, and Health care team members too. This violence can take the form of intimidation, harassment, stalking, beatings, stabbings, shootings, and other forms of assault. Psychological consequences resulting from violence may include fear, frustration, lack of trust in hospital administration, and decreased job satisfaction. Incidences of violence early in nurses’ careers are particularly problematic as nurses can become disillusioned with their profession. Violence not only affects nurses’ perspectives of the profession, but it also undermines recruitment and retention efforts which, in a time of a pervasive nursing shortage, threaten patient care. The purpose of this article is to assess the problems of violence against nurses and discussing the different methods and solutions to stop the work place violence for quality care and safety of patients and Nurses at work place.