Experiences of Workplace Violence Among Nursing Staff in Selected Hospitals in India: A Qualitative Study

Background Workplace violence among nurses is prevalent, particularly due to their extended working hours and shift duties across hospital units. While extensive research has been conducted on this issue in developed countries, there is a lack of data from developing nations as India. Aim This study aims to explore the experiences of workplace violence among nursing staff in selected private hospitals in the National Capital Region, India. Design Qualitative research. Method Data were derived from original transcripts of interviews with 29 staff nurses working in various medical and surgical wards who had encountered workplace violence. Data collection occurred between July and December 2023. Hybrid thematic analysis was conducted using NVIVO qualitative research software. Results Twenty-nine nursing staff participated in the study, revealing five themes: Verbal aggression, safety concerns, Harassment experiences, training needs, conflict resolution, and advocacy. Interviews indicated that workplace violence, ranging from verbal abuse to physical assault, was frequent, primarily from patients’ caregivers or family members and, in some cases, from the patients themselves. Conclusion Interventions are needed at various levels, including nursing administration, policymakers, and community education, to foster a zero-tolerance approach toward workplace violence.