Nursing project research

      Workplace violence is a significant stressor for nurses working in Emergency Department settings worldwide (Gates, Gillespie & Succop 2011). It is estimated that a quarter of all health employees are likely to experience violent incidents, either verbal or physical, in their direct patient care during their career (World Health Organization 2016). Globally and within Australia, there is an increasing level of workplace patient-related violence toward health care workers in Emergency Departments (Sato, Wakabayashi, Kiyoshi-Teo & Fukahori 2013). Notably, nurses have been identified as the most at risk health workers to be involved in aggressive situations with patients or relatives that result in physical injuries and psychological harm (Pich, Hazelton, Sundin & Kable 2011; Hahn, Muller & Neeedham et al. 2010). Violence is a significant occupational hazard, but is often under-reported by nurses. Violence influences nurses’ retention, high turnover decisions and reduces nurses’ work productivity (Gillespie, Gates & Berry 2013; Chapman, Perry, Styles & Combs 2009). Studies show that nurses working in Emergency Departments (ED) experience physical assaults at the highest rate of all nurses (Crilly, Chaboyer, & Creedy 2004). In a US study, ‘ninety four percent of nurses experienced at least one post-traumatic stress disorder symptom after a violent event, with 17% having scores high enough to be considered probably for PTSD’ (Gates, Gillespie & Succop 2011, p. 59). But alarmingly, there is an under-reporting of workplace violence and aggression which has been attributed, in part, to the poor response by managers to deal with the problem (Wolf et al 2014). In order to address patient-related violence, it is essential to understand the complexity of the problem. One aspect is to gain insight into the perceptions of nurses who have experienced violence in the ED setting. Research question: What are nurses’ experiences of patient-related violence whilst working in the Emergency Department setting? The research question is highly significant in clinical practice because nurses’ experiences and coping strategies can provide insights into how they cope as they strive to provide person-centred care in a workplace with escalating levels of patient and relative-related violence (NMBA 2016). Whilst the issue of workplace aggression in the ED is complex and mulit-factorial, exploring this problem from the nurses’ perspectives is imperative. Findings could inform safe work practices, interventions to prevent patient aggression, and provide care to ED nurses after such events (Gates, Gillespie & Succop 2011). Findings could provide local and international nurse leaders and managers with strategies to improve safety in work environments and occupational health and safety for nurses. Findings could also be used by nurse educators to raise awareness and promote effective strategies in the nursing curriculum. The research question is therefore highly relevant to clinical practice and has wider implications for the profession and the provision of safe working environments for all nurses working in Emergency Department settings. SUMMARY ANALYSIS OF FOUR (4) PRIMARY RESEARCH ARTICLES (1200 words) Select four (4) primary research articles (from the 8 articles provided) that provide relevant evidence to answer the research question. Write a 300 word summary of each primary research article using the three step format learned in Topic 2. Paper 1   Paper 2   Paper 3   Paper 4     Discussion (600 words) Compare and contrast the findings of four (4) primary research articles using the approach learned in Topic 3. Ensure the analysis explains how the findings answer the research question. Identify any existing gaps in knowledge or practice. Discussion may be supported by additional relevant literature.       Conclusion (150-200 words) Summarise the major points in a non-repetitive manner, discuss future directions for research.