Registered nurses' attitudes towards, and experiences of, aggression and violence in the acute hospital setting

Aims: This research examined New Zealand registered nurses' (RNs) experiences of aggression and violence in the acute hospital setting, and the impact that aggression management training (AMT) has on these experiences. Background: RNs experience high rates of workplace violence, as they are at the forefront of providing care to vulnerable individuals, many of whom are experiencing physical, psychological and/or emotional distress. However, there is limited literature investigating aggression and violence towards nurses in the acute hospital setting in New Zealand. To address this, data were collected using an internet survey incorporating Collins' Attitudes Towards Aggressive Behaviours Questionnaire (Collins, 1994). Results: RNs working in acute hospital settings face high levels of aggression and violence, with 27 percent of respondents having experienced a physical injury in the past year as the result of violent behaviour and 64 percent during their nursing career. Participation in AMT was found to have a negligible effect on exposure to aggression or violence and a limited impact on RNs' attitudes towards aggression and violence. This is potentially due to the content, design and delivery methods of current training, the efficacy of which has been questioned by researchers. Conclusions: The findings of this research suggest that RNs working in acute hospital settings in New Zealand are exposed to significant levels of aggression and violence, comparable to that found internationally. Provision of, and participation in, AMT did not meet New Zealand Department of Labour recommendations. These results suggest that the health-care institutions employing the survey participants may not be meeting New Zealand recommendations for AMT provision.