A reputational risk for the profession: workplace violence toward nursing students

Background: Workplace violence (WV) within nursing has been recognized internationally as a significant problem. In developing countries, such as Turkey, where nurses face WV frequently, it is an under-researched area and there is an absence of an effective system for reporting such acts. Aim: This study aimed to identify the incidence of WV experienced by Turkish student nurses, and to explore the implications and actions needed to reduce the incidence and impact. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 1216 nursing students using the student nurse datasheet and the workplace violence scale. Findings: The workplace has a considerable impact on nursing students and to varying degrees, WV affects more than half of student nurses in Turkey. The types of WV ranged from receiving racist remarks and being shouted at, to being kicked or having an unwanted advances for intimate physical contact. Discussion: The findings from this study add to the evidence that violence among nursing students is almost a daily occurrence, and is also underreported. Having an understanding of student nurses’ experiences and the impacts of WV, along with effective systems for reporting, can help mitigate the risk of violence occurring during clinical practice. Undergraduate nursing programs and continuing education for nurses should include preparation and role-play on how to handle and report WV, to improve the resilience of students. It is only through such a concerted and proactive approach will we promote more positive perceptions towards nursing programmes and the nursing profession as a whole