Physical Violence in the Workplace Among Jordanian Hospital Nurses

TLDR

Jordanian nurses are at frequent risk of workplace violence due to a lack of policies and assertive legislation. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of physical violence against Jordanian hospital nurses, examine their complaints and responses, describe existing workplace policies, and recommend policy directions while exploring the impact on employee satisfaction and healthcare quality. A descriptive exploratory survey of 420 nurses using a self‑administered questionnaire developed by ILO, ICN, WHO, and PSI was conducted. Twenty‑two point five percent of nurses experienced physical violence, with contributing factors linked to administration, staff, security, patients/families, and the public; those affected were dissatisfied with incident handling, and the authors suggest that appropriate policies and legislation could reduce such violence.

Abstract

Purpose: Lack of policies and assertive legislations on workplace violence has placed Jordanian nurses at frequent risk for workplace violence. The purposes of this research were to (a) investigate the level of physical violence and the complaints and responses of Jordanian hospital nurses to such violence and (b) describe workplace policies that deal with violence and recommend policy directions. Design: A descriptive exploratory survey was used to investigate physical workplace violence among a convenience sample of 420 Jordanian nurses. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire that was developed in 2003 by the International Labour Organization, International Council of Nurses, World Health Organization, and Public Services International. Results: The findings indicated that 22.5% of the participants were exposed to physical workplace violence. The contributing factors as indicated by the participants were related to the administration, staff, security, patients and families, and the public. Discussion/Conclusion: Participants who had experienced workplace violence were very dissatisfied with the manner in which the incidents were handled. Implications: It is important to investigate consequences of workplace violence on the satisfaction of employees and the quality of heath care service. Instituting appropriate policies and legislations would minimize workplace violence.