Date Available
4-25-2023
Year of Publication
2023
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Committee Chair
Dr. Sheila Melander
Clinical Mentor
Dr. Patricia K. Howard
Committee Member
Dr. Candice Falls
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate nursing staff perceptions of safety and workplace violence and increase safety awareness and knowledge in the emergency department of a level 1 trauma center.
Methods: This study was a single site project that used a descriptive non-experimental survey design to evaluate staff perceptions on workplace violence and safety before and after educational intervention. The study was broken down into three parts. After obtaining IRB approval, an invitation to participate in the pre-survey was distributed via email in a private electronic unit-based list server. Then an educational intervention on workplace safety and the mitigation measures and protocols currently in place in the emergency department in the form of a power point presentation was presented while staff was on shift. Then an email invitation to participate in the post survey was distributed to evaluate staff perceptions of workplace safety in the emergency department after the educational intervention
Results: A total of 28 staff members completed the pre-survey, and 7 staff members completed the post-survey after receiving education on workplace violence mitigation measures and prevention procedures. One hundred percent of participants reported experiencing a form of workplace violence, either physical, verbal, or both. Based on the survey over half of participants think that increased safety education is needed, and 100% think that new hires should be trained on workplace violence and safety in the emergency department during new hire orientation or onboarding.
Discussion: Workplace violence continues to occur at high rates in emergency departments across the world. There is a need for continued research and studies to be conducted on effective mitigation measures and prevention policies, and education to increase staff knowledge and awareness, so that there can be a reduction in workplace violence.
Recommended Citation
Hibbs, Marissa, "Staff Perceptions of Workplace Violence in the Emergency Department; Increasing Safety Awareness and Education" (2023). DNP Projects. 430.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/dnp_etds/430
