Experiences of Psychiatric Nurses Who Care for Patients with Physical and Psychological Violence: A Phenomenological Study.

INTRODUCTION

The present study aims to understand the experiences and characteristics of nurses caring for patients with mental disorders characterized by aggressive behavior.

AIM

The study aimed to understand and interpret the physical and psychological experiences and positive and negative aspects associated with nursing practices of patients with anger and aggressive behavior.

METHOD

The participants of this study were twelve nurses with over three years of experience working in a mental hospital. More specifically, all our participants had experience caring for psychiatric patients with anger and aggressive behavior. The collected data were analyzed using the phenomenological analysis method and the procedure proposed by Colaizzi (1978).

RESULT

The nurses' experience was described in five categories: "fear of violence", "exposure to a poor working environment", "difficulty of emotional control", "career regrets", and "finding a solution to violence."

DISCUSSION

The hospital should encourage and provide training sessions to teach nurses how to use proper intervention technique regarding medication and seclusion.

IMPLICATIONS

The results of the present study suggest the need for ongoing hospital support and program development, intervention studies, and improvement of the work environment to resolve the burden of mental and physical difficulties experienced by psychiatric nurses.