An investigation of violence sustained by nursing and midwifery students

BACKGROUND: Many laws exist that protect healthcare personnel from violence within the workplace. Evidence suggests that violence towards nursing students continues and remains unreported. These 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 experienced by 369 preregistration nursing and midwifery students. FINDINGS: More than half (n=202; 54.7%) of students reported sustaining violence or aggression during their current academic year. This included verbal (n=190; 94.1%), physical (n=96; 47.5%) and sexual (n=24; 11.9%) violence and aggression. Many psychological effects were sustained, including anxiety, loss of confidence and post-traumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSIONS: A climate of non-tolerance of violence and aggression within 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 attrition rates, career choices, and recruitment to nursing and midwifery programmes.