What is the Impact of Patient Violence in the Emergency Department on Emergency Nurses' Intention to Leave?

Overview

Journal J Nurs Manag

Specialty Nursing

Date 2022 Jun 29

PMID 35767371

Authors

Sarah Stafford

Pinar Avsar

Linda Nugent

Tom OConnor

Zena Moore

Declan Patton

Chanel Watson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aim: To examine the impact that patient violence, experienced in the emergency department, has on emergency nurses' intention to leave their job.

Background: Emergency departments have become known for their overcrowding, chaos, unpredictability and violence. Emergency nurses are at high risk of experiencing workplace violence, which is cited in the literature as having a direct effect on general nurses' intention to leave. A high rate of nursing turnover may lead to short staffing, jeopardize the quality of patient care and increase overcrowding and wait times.

Evaluation: A systematic review was undertaken in CINAHL, Medline and Psych INFO databases using published data until November 2021. Six articles were included, and PRISMA guidelines were adhered it.

Key Issues: Workplace violence in the emergency department had a direct impact on emergency nurses' intention to leave and decreased their job satisfaction. Verbal abuse is the most experienced form of workplace violence.

Conclusions: Workplace violence experienced by emergency nurses in the emergency department had a direct positive impact on their intention to leave and subsequently negative impact on their job satisfaction.

Implications For Nursing Management: This review may inform clinical decision-making and aid in the development of clinical practice guidelines for a workplace violence prevention programme, specific to the emergency department.

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