An investigation of violence sustained by nursing and midwifery students

Background
Many laws exist which protect healthcare personnel from violence within the workplace. Evidence suggests that violence towards nursing students continues and remains unreported. These violent incidents have been proven to have psychological effects.
Aims
The aim of the study was to identify the extent, type and impact of violence and aggression sustained by nursing and midwifery students.
Methods
A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was employed in a UK University to investigate the violence and aggression sustained by 369 pre-registration nursing and midwifery students.
Findings
In total, 54.7% (n=202) of students reported sustaining violence or aggression in their current academic year. This included verbal violence and aggression (92.7% n=190) physical (46.8% n=96) and sexual (11.3% n=24). Many psychological effects were sustained including anxiety, loss of confidence and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Conclusions
A climate of non-tolerance with violence and aggression with healthcare organisations needs to become the norm to protect healthcare workers and nursing and midwifery students. Future research should concentrate on underexplored areas such as whether violence or aggression affects student nursing and midwifery attrition rates, career choices, and recruitment onto nursing and midwifery programmes.