LITERATURE

Literature Support

Deborah K. Gill

Grand Canyon University

NUR 699: Evidence-Based Nursing Practice

Nicolette Estrada, Instructor

May 18, 2011

Literature Support

Soon after a legislative bill passes that protect nurses against workplace violence, a fifty-three year old nurse from Nassau County, New York was assaulted by a patient who broke a wooden chair into pieces and used one of its legs to beat her. The nurse suffered severe facial trauma. The patient was later arrested and charged with first-degree assault. Nurses in New York can now collectively celebrate, knowing that they are protected against violence in the workplace. The new law not only embodies protection, but gives respect to nurses for the sanctity of their space.

Nurses from the Empire State have expressed their sentiment about this bill. Some feel it is not only overdue but gives the much needed support. Traci Shoemaker LPN staff nurse Bronx New York IAFN member emphatically states, "I'm in Favor of the bill getting passed. Healthcare settings should be a safe environment." (Nachreiner 2005, pp. 675) Other Nurses understand the physical nature component of the job and the close contact with patients, family members who in certain situations can be unruly or agitated. David Rotchford RN ER Staff Nurse/Instructor of Nursing Bronx New York is also in favor of bill getting passed. Rochford emphasizes, "As an Emergency Room Nurse, any altercations with patient and/or family, unfortunately, part of the job'", he also stresses, "When a nurse intervenes to de-escalate can subject them to physical danger." (Jezierski 1996, pp. 201)

Nurse-To-Nurse Aggression

A partnership with forensic nursing would be imperative if suddenly a nursing floor became transformed into a crime scene where, evidence collection would be extremely crucial. The Forensic Nurse would help identify issues, write policies, educate staff/patients/visitors, perform investigations, collect data, collaborate with law enforcement, and serve as liaison (Nachreiner, 2005).

“Of all aggression that nurses encounter (patient-to-nurse, nurse-to-visitor, doctor-to-nurse, and nurse-to-nurse), nurses report that the most distressing aggression to deal with is nurse-to-nurse aggression” (Bartholomew, 2006, p. 11). Studies have shown that this issue has “been hampered by the lack of a universally accepted definition, as well as by a lack of awareness by staff nurses and leaders that the problem exists” (p. 18).

Nurses are Unaware that Nurse Aggression Exist

It is evident that nurses are unaware that nurse aggression exists, oblivious to the fact that it runs rampant in all levels of the profession, and inattentive to the reality that nurse aggression has morphed itself into common nursing culture. Either statement alone indisputably underscores the great need for the development of an evidence-based tool to create an awareness of this problem through educating nurses; encourage and facilitate its victim to report it, and dissipate it from the profession. However, nurses do not frequently report their problem, and health care organizations often do not support the victims.

Review of Evidence and Synthesis of Literature

Bartholomew (2006) summarizes evidence that support the fact that nurse aggression is prevalent within the workplace. Cited is an empirical study surveying more than 1,100 employees of a National Health Service ...