Unreported workplace violence in nursing.
BACKGROUND
Workplace violence occurs on a frequent basis in nursing. Most violent acts remain unreported. Consequently, we do not know the actual frequency of the occurrence of workplace violence. This requires research of nurses' actions following workplace violence and identification of reasons why most victims do not report violent acts in the appropriate manner.


AIM
To explore violence in nursing as experienced by nurses in Slovenia.


METHODS
A survey was carried out with a representative sample of nurses in Slovenia. The questionnaire Workplace Violence in Nursing was submitted to 3756 nurses, with 692 completing the questionnaire.


RESULTS
A total of 61.6% of the nurses surveyed had been exposed to violence in the past year. Most victims were exposed to psychological (60.1%) and economic violence (28.9%). Victims reported acts of violence in formal written form in a range from 6.5% (psychological violence) to 10.9% (physical violence). The largest share of victims who did not report violence and did not speak to anyone about it were victims of sexual violence (17.9%). The main reason for not reporting the violence was the belief that reporting it would not change anything, followed by the fear of losing one's job.


CONCLUSIONS
Only a small share of the respondents reported violence in written form, the main reason being the victims' belief that reporting it would not change anything. This represents a severe criticism of the system for preventing workplace violence for it reveals the failure of response by leadership structures in healthcare organizations.


IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY
Professional associations and the education system must prepare nurses for the prevention of violence and appropriate actions in the event of violent acts. Healthcare organizations must ensure the necessary conditions for enabling and encouraging appropriate actions following violent acts according to relevant protocols.
['Kvas|A|A|', 'Seljak|J|J|']
D000328:Adult D000367:Age Factors D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel D003625:Data Collection D004522:Educational Status D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007398:Interpersonal Relations D008297:Male D019221:Mandatory Reporting D008875:Middle Aged D009740:Nursing Staff D016273:Occupational Exposure D011159:Population Surveillance D011897:Random Allocation D012307:Risk Factors D012737:Sex Factors D017406:Sexual Harassment D017524:Slovenia D012919:Social Behavior D013315:Stress, Psychological D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D064450:Workplace Violence D055815:Young Adult
Workplace Violence Nurses Slovenia Psychological Violence Sexual Violence Harassment Nursing Care Staff Development Workforce Organization