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Daily reality of violence in a rural emergency department : Is violence becoming the new normal?
Jacob, Alycia van Vuuren, Julia Kinsman, Leigh Spelten, Evelien
Jacob, Alycia
van Vuuren, Julia
Kinsman, Leigh
Spelten, Evelien
Abstract
Objectives
Violence in emergency healthcare is a persistent and concerning problem. The objective of the present study was to explore and understand rural nurses' views on the daily experience and impact of violence, and its perpetrators.
Methods
The present study took a descriptive exploratory approach. Two focus groups were held with nurses from an ED at a rural hospital in New South Wales, Australia.
Results
Violence occurred regularly and had a significant impact on staff. Nurses go to work expecting to search patients for weapons and be physically and verbally abused. Tolerating and being able to manage violence has become a rite of passage.
Conclusions
The present study shows that rural workers, like metropolitan workers, feel experiences of violence are a routine part of their roles. Violence in healthcare is a societal issue, that cannot be solved without a multifactor approach that considers the characteristics of the perpetrators.
Keywords
aggression, emergency nursing, hospital emergency service, nursing experience, perpetrators, violence
Date
2022
Type
Journal article
Journal
Emergency Medicine Australasia
Book
Volume
34
Issue
4
Page Range
555-558
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
© 2022 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine.