Violence in the Nursing Profession Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Violence in the Nursing Profession - Essay Example It has been noted that nurses are easily exposed to violence in certain scenarios in the course of dispensing their duties, thereby increasing their vulnerability (Carter, 2000). The healthcare sector is faced with many challenges including limited budgets, low work motivation, low pay and understaffing. These challenges on their own create tension in the work environment and in most cases; nurses bear the brute of the frustration. Violence is in many forms including physical, psychological, sexual harassment, isolation and intimidation. The patriarchal medical model has contributed a great deal to this vice as nurses are seen as doctor’s handmaidens (O’Connell et al 2000).In this sense, doctors may form a condescending and intimidating attitude toward nurses whereby they feel their qualification and status is superior to those of nurses. Nurses also face violence from hospital visitors and patients, some of who express their grief, frustrations and misgivings to the nurses, who tend to be more available than doctors. Horizontal violence is also rampant, where nurses themselves administer violence on each. Studies show that nursing students during their clinical assignment in their courses are the most vulnerable to violence (Randle 2003). CASE STUDY 1 SUMMARY The first case study will look into the article dubbed â€Å"Aggression in the Workplace: A study of Horizontal Violence Utilizing Heideggerian Hermeneutic Phenomenology.† The article sought to ascertain the existence and rampant widespread of horizontal violence amongst nurses in healthcare institutions. One or more group members towards another member or section of the larger group (Duffy 1995) define horizontal violence as hostile or aggressive behavior. Studies show that the prevalence is high but majority of the cases go unreported due to fear of stigmatization and/or retribution (Farrel 1997).This case study also seeks to identify the impact of horizontal violence on the victims’ work performance and relationships with others. Study Design The Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology was the chosen method of research in this article. This qualitative approach by Heidegger, a German philosopher, proposes that all knowledge comes from people in t he world and the attempt to understand other people in the world. It thus means that we are always within the hermeneutic circle of Interpretation (Leonard 1989).With this design the researcher has a preliminary understanding of horizontal violence (Leonard 1989) and will be able to add personal experience and understanding to the research (Walter 1995). Sampling Strategies and Data collection In compiling information for this article, the use of questionnaires was employed. The sample size comprised of two registered nurses who had consensual agreed to take part in the study based on their expertise in the field (Field and Morse; 1985). The sample size was relatively small but since it was a qualitative analysis, sample size depended on the accuracy of the information given by the respondents and their abilities to do so. Data collection was done using recorded audio tapes. This method was the