Workplace Violence Against Nurses
Workplace Violence Against Nurses
INTRODUCTION
Nurses are among the most assaulted workers in the American workforce. Violence against nurses is a complex and persistent occupational hazard. Violence can come in many different forms such as intimidation, harassment, beatings, stabbings, shootings and other forms. The effects of violence are psychological as well as physical. Nurses may suffer from fear, anxiety, sadness, depression, mistrust and nervousness. These consequences can have a negative impact on nurse retention.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) classifies workplace violence into four basic types.
1. Type I involves criminal intent. In this type of workplace violence, “individuals with criminal intent
have no relationship to the business or its employees.”
2. Type II involves a patient, customer, or client. In this type, “an individual has a relationship with the business and becomes violent while receiving services”.
3. Type III violence involves a “worker-on-worker” relationship and includes “employees who attack or threaten another employee”.
4. Type IV violence involves personal relationships. It includes “individuals who have interpersonal relationships with the intended target but no relationship to the business”. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website)
Voluntary guidelines have been set up but it is not required for employers to have prevention programs in place. Not all states have laws in place to protect nurses from such violence.
INTRODUCTION
Nurses are among the most assaulted workers in the American workforce. Violence against nurses is a complex and persistent occupational hazard. Violence can come in many different forms such as intimidation, harassment, beatings, stabbings, shootings and other forms. The effects of violence are psychological as well as physical. Nurses may suffer from fear, anxiety, sadness, depression, mistrust and nervousness. These consequences can have a negative impact on nurse retention.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) classifies workplace violence into four basic types.
1. Type I involves criminal intent. In this type of workplace violence, “individuals with criminal intent
have no relationship to the business or its employees.”
2. Type II involves a patient, customer, or client. In this type, “an individual has a relationship with the business and becomes violent while receiving services”.
3. Type III violence involves a “worker-on-worker” relationship and includes “employees who attack or threaten another employee”.
4. Type IV violence involves personal relationships. It includes “individuals who have interpersonal relationships with the intended target but no relationship to the business”. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website)
Voluntary guidelines have been set up but it is not required for employers to have prevention programs in place. Not all states have laws in place to protect nurses from such violence.