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Park, Kang, Kim, and Kwon: Exposure to Workplace Violence and Coping in Intensive Care Unit Nurses
Original Article

Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 2011; 20(3): 291-301.

Published online: 30 September 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2011.20.3.291

Exposure to Workplace Violence and Coping in Intensive Care Unit Nurses

Hyun-Jung Park1, Hee-Sun Kang2, Kyung-Hee Kim3, Hye-Jin Kwon3

1Registered Nurse, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Korea.

2Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Korea.

3Professor, Department of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Park, Hyunjung, Chung-Ang University Hospital, 102 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-755, Korea. Tel: 82-2-3481-4781, cutybox@hanmail.net

Received 30 May 2011       Revised 19 September 2011       Accepted 19 September 2011

© 2011 The Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

(open-access):

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine workplace violence (verbal, physical, and sexual violence) among nurses in intensive care units (ICU).

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was done from November 8 to 27, 2010, using self-administered questionnaires. The responses of 251 nurses were analyzed.

Results

The results of this study showed that ICU nurses frequently experience workplace violence. Verbal violence was more frequent than physical or sexual violence. The most frequent action taken by respondents after violence was seeking help from colleagues. Violence occurred most often when a patient's mental status was altered or the patient had too much alcohol, and when the patient or family was not satisfied with the hospital services because of delay of test results or treatment. In addition, miscommunication between doctors and nurses or among nurses was a major reason for violent behavior. Nurses regarded public apologies, professional counseling, and communication skill training as effective methods to prevent or deal with violence.

Conclusion

These results suggest that institutional and administrative support to promote a safe and efficient work environment in hospitals should be provided to minimize the possibilities of violent behavior by patients or patients' families directed at medical personnel.

Keywords: Nurse, Intensive care units, Violence

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Violence Experience (N=251)

jkapmhn-20-291-i001
Table 2

Responses to Victimization (N=251)

jkapmhn-20-291-i002
Table 3

Actions Taken After Violence (N=251)

jkapmhn-20-291-i003
Table 4

Situation that Violence Occurred (N=251)

jkapmhn-20-291-i004
Table 5

Methods for Violence Prevention or Handling & Perceived Effects (N=251)

jkapmhn-20-291-i005

Notes

This article is a revision of the first author's master's thesis from Chung-Ang University.

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