Violence in the nursing profession and other workplaces has escalated. The increase workplace violence is related to the culture of silence that has been created in those workplaces. There has been an increase in frustrations among the workers and security has not been stable to stop the violence or take action on the violators. Being a veteran nurse at a private hospital, I experienced the workplace violence at one time in my duty, but I took some measures to ensure itdoes not happen again.

While in my night shift, a physician came in the ward that I was in asking angrily why there was no nurse in the next ward. I tried to explain to him that I was on my way to that ward, soon after finishing with the patients in the current ward. I told him that the other nurse was out a bit and would be back soon. He could not listen to me. He started assaulting me verbally in front of our patients saying that I was proud and could not heed to his orders. He said that I was overlooking his importance as a physician.I felt humiliated before my patients.

I decided to stand up for myself and other nurses who faced such assaults in silence, which has been a culture (Bosek & Savage, 2007). I was fully aware that nurses had an equal right to be treated with respect. I forwarded the case to the nursing administrators who had the responsibility of advocating the workplace safety and aIDressing system issues that could result into violent situations. The administration reinforced the organization culture that did not condone that behavior. It is a legal and moral duty of the organization to care for their employees (Huston, 2013).

From that experience, health care staff was summoned and warned against that behavior. They were advised that there should be respect for personal and emotional interests to avoid demoralization of the staff (Bosek & Savage, 2007). Intrapersonal relationship improved at the work-place and nurses worked without the fear of verbal assaults. The services that were offered to the patients became those of high quality.

The incidence served as an eye opener to many and brought advantages that nurses enjoyed. Therefore, it is important for nurses to stand and fight for their rights to bring the violence levels down.

References

Bosek, M., S. & Savage, T., A. (2007). The ethical component of nursing education: integrating ethics into clinical experience. New York, NY: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Huston, C. (2013). Professional issues in nursing: challenges and opportunities. New York, NY: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.