Work Place Violence Against Nursing Staff Working in Emergency Departments at General Hospitals in Basra City

This study including 84 nurses working at emergency departments at general hospitals in Basra City, to determine the rate and sources of different types of violence, some characteristics of violence incidents and reactions of nurses towards violence incidents. Results showed the majority were exposed to work place violence (90.5%). Exposure to work place violence rate among males (93.8%) was higher than among females (86.1%). Exposure to work place violence rate was lower among younger than 30years of age (77.8%) than older participating. The majority (71.1%) of the participants were exposed to verbal violence. Relatives of the patients were the major source of violence (86.8%), the main time of exposure to violence was during night shift (48.7%). The main reason for not submitting the incident of violence reports was that they consider it of no importance (76.3%). Nothing was done was consequence for (35.3%) of the work place violence. The main single feeling was disappointment which was expressed by (32.8%) of the participants who exposed to violence.