Nursing students' experiences of workplace violence in clinical practice: a qualitative systematic review protocol

The effects of workplace violence on nursing students from the perspectives of clinical facilitators or preceptors

BACKGROUND

Violence is well documented in the nursing profession and is compounded by an increasing incidence of workplace violence towards nursing students. Poor clinical experiences where violence is witnessed or experienced have long-term consequences for both the student and the profession.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to ascertain clinical facilitators' perceptions about the impact of workplace violence on nursing students during their clinical placements.

METHODS

Phenomenology guided qualitative research methods were used in this study. Eleven clinical facilitators employed in various South Australian healthcare settings were interviewed, and the qualitative data was transcribed and thematically analysed manually assisted by NVivo 12 software.

RESULTS

Three major themes emerged from the data: Academic and future career impacts, Impact on personal life, and mental and physical health. Clinical facilitators described how baccalaureate nursing students feared for their emotional, mental and physical safety, questioned their career choices and described the impact of violent experiences on their personal lives.

CONCLUSION

Clinical facilitators were often unable to prevent such experiences from happening to nursing students and, at times, felt unprepared or inadequately supported by universities. A combined University and healthcare facility approach that prepares, manages, supports and reduces the incidence of workplace violence for nursing students and clinical facilitators is urgently required to safeguard the mental, physical and emotional health of student nurses and clinical facilitators.

Prevalence, associated factors, and nursing practice-related outcomes of workplace violence towards nursing students in clinical practice: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence of Workplace violence (WPV) among nursing students in clinical practice, and examine the associated factors and nursing practice-related outcomes.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis.

REVIEW METHODS AND DATA SOURCES

A comprehensive literature search was performed in nine databases from inception to Mar 2023. Two researchers independently screened studies, extracted data and assessed the quality of included studies. The random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of WPV. Separate analyses were conducted by WPV type and source.

RESULTS

57 studies involving 23,451 nursing students were identified. The overall prevalence of WPV experienced and witnessed by nursing students was 45.37 % and 53.76 %, respectively, and 13.73 % were unsure if they had WPV. Psychological violence was the most prevalent form of WPV, but the prevalence of WPV also varied by setting and source, with obstetrics and gynaecology (41.25 %) being the most common settings and patients and their relatives (50.80 %) being the most common sources. When exposed to WPV, 65 % of nursing students did nothing except keep quiet, and 74 % did not report it. Concerning the associated factors of WPV, there were few reports on patient-related factors, and the selected studies focused primarily on nursing student- and occupational-related factors. Regarding nursing practice-related outcomes, WPV had a predominantly negative impact on nursing students' professional practice, but it also had a certain motivating effect.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis estimates the global prevalence, associated factors, and nursing practice-related outcomes of WPV among nursing students. The findings confirm the high prevalence of WPV; therefore, schools and institutions should prioritize WPV education and training. The hospital should then formulate WPV laws and regulations, enhance the WPV reporting procedure, and protect the rights and interests of nursing students. Finally, hospital administrators should employ individualized intervention strategies for nursing students based on the variables that affect them.

Global prevalence of bullying and associated factors among nursing students during clinical practice: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

This meta-analysis aims to estimate the global prevalence of bullying among nursing students during clinical practice and identify associated factors.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

REVIEW METHODS AND DATA SOURCES

We conducted a comprehensive literature search across ten databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Chinese Biomedical, China National Knowledge Internet, and WANFANG) from their inception to January 3, 2023. Two researchers independently screened potentially eligible studies, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Data were analyzed using random-effects or fixed-effects models. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression explored the influence of participant and study characteristics on bullying prevalence. Publication bias and sensitivity analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

We included 28 studies (N = 9511) from 13 countries on five continents. The pooled estimate of bullying prevalence among nursing students during clinical practice was 65.60 % (95 % CI 55. 75 to 74.27), with no evidence of publication bias (t = 1.51, p-value = 0.14). Subgroup and moderator analyses highlighted the impact of country, continent, publication year, and assessment tool on bullying prevalence.

CONCLUSION

Nursing students face a high prevalence of bullying during clinical practice. Addressing this issue in nursing education requires prioritizing associated factors, fostering a culture of safety, providing effective training, and promoting individual resilience. These actions can prevent and mitigate bullying, creating a supportive and empowering learning environment for future nurses.