Workplace violence. A focus on verbal abuse and intent to leave the organization.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the experience of verbal abuse in a large multihospital system and determine the relationship of verbal abuse with intent to leave the organization.


METHODS
Descriptive correlational design using mailed questionnaires.


METHODS
Randomized sample of 1000 nurses received questionnaire; 46% response rate, with a final useable sample of 461 surveys.


RESULTS
Of the respondents, 91% had experienced verbal abuse in the past month. The physician was the most frequent source of verbal abuse, followed by patients, patient families, peers, supervisors, and subordinates. More than 50% of the sample did not feel competent in responding to verbal abuse. Amount of abuse and intent to leave were significantly related (r = .211, p < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Organizations must adopt zero-tolerance policies for professional verbal abuse. Education and coaching are needed to help nurses to improve their skills when responding to patient-to-nurse and professional-to-professional verbal abuse.
Sofield
Laura
L
Meridian Institute for Aging, Senior Health Center, Meridian Health System, USA.
Salmond
Susan W
SW
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D009096:Multi-Institutional Systems; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009511:New England / Q000453:epidemiology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D016272:Occupational Health; D010379:Peer Group; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D015995:Prevalence; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D017406:Sexual Harassment / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data