title: Sources, reactions, and tactics used by RNs to address aggression in an acute care hospital: a qualitative analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research seeks to identify the sources of, reactions to, and tactics that nurses use to address aggression in the workplace.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Models explaining aggression have limitations and do not address the tactics that victims use when confronted with aggression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Personal interviews were conducted with 47 RNs at a large university hospital. Grounded theory techniques were used in the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tactics varied by the type of perpetrator being addressed. Coworkers were likely to be the aggressor, with patient care technicians being the most commonly identified aggressor toward RNs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowing the sources, reactions, and tactics used in response to aggression is necessary to support the development of preventive and responsive strategies from individual and organizational perspectives.
authors: University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, Birmingham, AL 35249-6908, USA. pautrey@uabmc.edu
authors: Pamela S
authors: PS
authors: Autrey
authors: Jack L
authors: JL
authors: Howard
authors: Barbara A
authors: BA
authors: Wech
mesh_terms: D000378:Agonistic Behavior; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research