To identify the nature, degree and contributing factors of workplace violence (WPV) incidents experienced by Australian nursing students during clinical placement.
Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Data were collected from 13 September to 25 November 2022. Eligible participants included all nursing students enrolled in nursing degrees at any Australian university who had completed at least one clinical placement. An adapted version of the WPV in the Health Sector Country Case Study survey was used.
A total of 381 nursing students across eight states of Australia completed the survey. More than half of the students had experienced an episode of WPV; patients were the most frequent perpetrators. Personal factors of patients, staff and students, organizational factors and cultural norms within the workplace supported acts of WPV.
Student nurses (SNs) most often experience violence from patients during direct care. Patient encounters are the core component of clinical placement. Education providers have a responsibility to effectively prepare students to be able to identify escalating situations and manage potentially violent situations. Registered nurses who supervise students during clinical placement require support to balance their clinical role with student supervision.
Experiencing WPV can negatively impact relationships between students, healthcare professionals and care recipients. This results in personal distress, decreased job satisfaction and potentially the decision to leave the nursing profession.
What already is known: SNs are exposed to WPV during clinical placement.
What this paper adds: More than half the SNs in this study experienced violence inclusive of physical, verbal, racial and sexual harassment. Patients were the predominant perpetrators.
Implications for practice/policy: Interventions at individual and systemic levels are required to mitigate WPV.
This study is reported using the STROBE guidelines.
This study offers an empirical exploration of self-assessed digital competencies of students, most of whom studied in nursing courses, using a discipline-based self-assessment survey tool. A range of digital competencies were explored: information and communication technology proficiency and productivity, information literacy, digital creation, digital research, digital communication, digital learning and development, digital innovation, digital identity management and digital well-being.
A cross-sectional empirical study.
Quantitative data were collected from November to December 2021 via a questionnaire survey administered to students. Quantitative results were reported through descriptive statistical analysis. Mann–Whitney (U-test) and Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric statistical tests were used to identify statistically significant differences based on age demographics and pre- or post-registration course. Thematic analysis was utilized for survey open-ended questions data.
Students reported low competencies in the following digital literacy dimensions, all of which were imperative for their studies and for their future professional careers: information literacy, digital research, digital innovation. Significant statistical subgroup differences were found between age demographics and pre/post-registration within most of the digital competence dimensions. The survey open-ended comments revealed that students encountered challenges around digital skills they had mostly developed via everyday life experiences and trial-and-error approaches.
Increasing awareness of existing digital gaps and offering tailored digital skills enhancement can empower students as future-proof evidence-based practitioners in an evolving digital healthcare landscape.
Highlights the importance of embedding digital literacy within nursing study programmes, as preparation for comprehensive patient healthcare.
Offers insights into digital competencies gaps of nursing students. Proposes targeted educational digital skills training interventions. Stresses the value of academic staff supporting nursing students to develop digital skills in important areas of professional practice.
JBI critical appraisal checklist.
No patient or public contribution.