Enhancing support to nurses and health care assistants who experience workplace violence

Abstract

This study explored the question: How might Island Health enhance the support provided to nurses and health care assistants who experience workplace violence on in-patient Medical and Surgical Units at the Royal Jubilee Hospital? The study was approved through the harmonized ethics process in British Columbia and used a mixed-methods approach based on an action research engagement model. The study used within-case and purposive sampling techniques for participant selection with a sample size of approximately 600 employees for both data collection methods. The study engaged nurses and health care assistants who work on Medical or Surgical Units through two separate focus groups. A follow-up survey was sent to focus group participants and eligible nurses and health care assistants unable to attend a focus group. After completing a content and descriptive analysis, the findings revealed mixed reports on how nurses and health care assistants feel supported by leadership, but they generally feel supported by each other. The recommendations focus on strategies that the health authority can use, in which one example recommends increased leadership visibility and check-ins, to better support nurses and health care assistants who experience workplace violence.