Experience of acute care mental health nurses in dealing with violent or aggressive patients, The

Violence in workplace is more common in health care settings than in many other work environments. While there is an abundance of literature pertaining to violence and aggression in health care, especially where mental health services are being provided, there is a paucity of research focusing on the lived experiences of acute care mental health nurses. The purpose of this research was to engage in a dialogue with acute care mental health nurses with regards to their personal experiences of patient violence and aggression. Eight participants were interviewed using van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenological method. Data collected from the interviews was transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Themes elicited from the analysis included: multiple experiences of patient violence and aggression, antecedents to violence and aggression, the uncertainty of violence and aggression, managing the risk of violence, the role of the organization, uncovering the potential consequences, and disempowerment. Participants’ experiences with patient violence and aggression occurred within three different time periods which were identified as: the roots of patient violence and aggression, the act of patient violence and aggression, and the aftermath of patient violence and aggression. Implications for practice, policy and education are discussed, along with recommendations for future research.Includes bibliographical references (pages 96-106)."In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Psychiatric Nursing.