The perceptions of nurses regarding violence, strategies and support in a regional Queensland Hospital University of Southern Queensland

Ironically, the most violent workplace in Australia today is the healthcare industry. Nurses encounter verbal and physical violence from patients and visitors in their workplace on a daily basis. Nurses who work in emergency and mental health departments are especially at risk of violence. The Australian media, such as television news reports and daily newspapers, frequently reports on incidents where violent patients attack nurses—leaving the nurses with physical and emotional scars. Workplace violence is a significant cause of death and injury in many parts of the world, and in Australia alone the estimated cost of absenteeism and lost productivity as a result of workplace violence is over $AUD 13 billion per year (Farrell, Bobrowski, & Bobrowski, 2006). Workplace violence in the healthcare industry is increasing, and has significant long-term consequences on both individuals and our health system. Violence affects nurses’ personal lives, mental health, safety and professionalism by reducing their ability to offer effective patient care. Experienced nurses are leaving the healthcare industry due to patient violence.