The Effect of Workplace Violence on Inpatient Psychiatric Nursing: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract Background: Psychiatric nurses are at an increased risk for experiencing violence while working in an inpatient psychiatric unit, which may result in emotional distress and mental trauma for the nurse, potentially leading to impaired functioning and compromised patient care. Objectives: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to explore the effect of violence on inpatient psychiatric nursing and the psychiatric nurse’s response to experiencing violence. The impact of violence on the nurse’s ability to take care of the psychiatric patient will also be addressed. Method: An integrated literature review using the updated Whittemore and Knafl (2005) methodology was conducted using the following databases: CINAHL, ProQuest, PubMed, and PsycInfo. The keywords used in this search included violence, psychiatric nursing, and mental health. Analysis of the 10 articles meeting inclusion criteria will be conducted using a qualitative approach. Results: Psychiatric nurses frequently experience violent incidents in the inpatient psychiatric unit. Many of these nurses feel that violence is part of their job; they regularly underreport their experiences. Nurses exposed to higher levels of assault experience more anger and PTSD symptoms. Many nurses report feeling unsafe and unsupported in their workplaces. Combination of the above factors may lead to inadequate psychiatric patient care. Conclusion: Psychiatric nurses working in inpatient psychiatric units experience more work violence and trauma. When they are unable to receive help for their trauma, they experience more anger and PTSD, which impacts their health and patient care. More resources and research need to be made available to support nurses after these events. Keywords: psychiatric nursing, violence, mental healt