Nurses are 16 times more at risk of violence than other service workers
Nurses are at a much higher risk of being assaulted on the job than police officers or prison guards, according to a study in the International Nursing Review.
The study, Workplace violence in the health sector: A problem of epidemic proportion, found that nurses are victims of violence at a rate that is 16 times higher than other service workers. Nurses are slapped, punched, kicked, spit at, yelled at and even raped during the course of their duties taking care of the sick and infirm.
The study looked at nurses around the world and Canada is no better off. A survey by the Quebec Federation of Nurses found that almost 70 per cent of nurses had been physically assaulted, 52 per cent had been threatened on the job and 45 per cent had been victims of sexual harassment and assault.
While the majority of the perpetrators are patients and their loved ones, co-workers are also a significant problem — the survey found that 2 per cent of the physical assaults and 20 per cent of the incidents of sexual harassment were committed by doctors. Fifteen per cent of surgical nurses reported surgeons throwing instruments at them.
Other provincial studies show similar results and while zero-tolerance policies exist, about 70 per cent of incidents aren’t reported.
Studies also show that 75 per cent of nurses fear violence and the constant worry is one of the biggest impediments to job satisfaction.
Many factors contribute to the increased risk of violence that nurses experience, including the fact that they deal with large number of people, many of them with addictions or dementia. Long waits and inadequate staffing and supervision also make nurses more vulnerable.
The study, Workplace violence in the health sector: A problem of epidemic proportion, found that nurses are victims of violence at a rate that is 16 times higher than other service workers. Nurses are slapped, punched, kicked, spit at, yelled at and even raped during the course of their duties taking care of the sick and infirm.
The study looked at nurses around the world and Canada is no better off. A survey by the Quebec Federation of Nurses found that almost 70 per cent of nurses had been physically assaulted, 52 per cent had been threatened on the job and 45 per cent had been victims of sexual harassment and assault.
While the majority of the perpetrators are patients and their loved ones, co-workers are also a significant problem — the survey found that 2 per cent of the physical assaults and 20 per cent of the incidents of sexual harassment were committed by doctors. Fifteen per cent of surgical nurses reported surgeons throwing instruments at them.
Other provincial studies show similar results and while zero-tolerance policies exist, about 70 per cent of incidents aren’t reported.
Studies also show that 75 per cent of nurses fear violence and the constant worry is one of the biggest impediments to job satisfaction.
Many factors contribute to the increased risk of violence that nurses experience, including the fact that they deal with large number of people, many of them with addictions or dementia. Long waits and inadequate staffing and supervision also make nurses more vulnerable.
