For decades, nurses have been subjected to gruesome violence. Although patients are solely deemed to physically abuse nurses, family of patients have been shown to participate in these incidents as well.  Surprisingly, nurses often do not recognize that the abuse they endure is unacceptable. Nurses are often hit, beat, choked, and even spit on by patients and families. One study found that 25% of emergency room nurses in the U.S. have reported experiencing physical violence at the workplace. Another study conducted on Turkish nurses found that almost 98% of participants did not know how to report physical violence nor did they know that was even an option. Thus, nurses are truly unprepared for the challenges that lay ahead of them. As a result of these treacherous outcomes, patients are suffering now more than ever. You can read more about patient care retention on our secondary blog post by clicking here.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has also made things worse for nurses. According to the Forbes article, studies found a 44% jump in violence against nurses since the pandemic began. 

 

With frustrated patients and families, tension between patients and nurses have only heightened. Additionally, misogyny and deeming the nursing profession as “less than” are contributing factors for  why patients shamelessly partake in unjust acts towards nurses. Nursing is a predominantly female-dominated profession, and as a result, misogyny toward nurses is more prevalent.1 in 4 women are victims of some type of intimate partner violence. Thus, a field dominated by women is subject to experience the very same treatment. 

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Sources:

Al-Qadi, M. M. (2020). Nurses’ perspectives of violence in emergency departments: A metasynthesis. International emergency nursing, 52, 100905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2020.100905

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Domestic Violence Statistics. The Hotline. (2023, February 23). Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/#:~:text=2010%20Summary%20Report.-,Atlanta%2C%20GA%3A%20National%20Center%20for%20Injury%20Prevention%20and%20Control%2C,intimate%20partner%20in%20their%20lifetime. 

Tekin, Y. E., & Bulut, H. (2014). Verbal, physical and sexual abuse status against operating room nurses in Turkey. Sexuality and Disability, 32, 85-97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-014-9339-7

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Contributed by Srilakshmi Nair