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Państwo i Społeczeństwo / State and Society

Published: 2026-09-16

Workplace violence against nurses as a public health issue: a narrative review

Dominika Szynal Logo ORCID , Tomasz Olszowski Logo ORCID

Abstract

Workplace violence (WPV) against nursing staff is a significant and growing problem in healthcare systems, affecting both employee well-being and the quality of patient care. The aim of this study is to present the scale of the phenomenon, its forms, and its consequences for nurses. A review of the literature indicates that WPV is widespread and occurs in various forms, including verbal, psychological, and physical abuse. Verbal violence is the most common form involving insults, threats and humiliation. Research findings show that a substantial proportion of nurses experience WPV repeatedly, leading to negative health outcomes such as stress, burnout, anxiety and depressive symptoms. WPV also affects the quality of patient care by reducing concentration and increasing the risk of errors. Contributing factors include healthcare system overload, staff shortages and inadequate communication with patients. The need for preventive measures is emphasized, including training in managing aggressive behaviour, improving work organization and providing psychological support for staff. Effective prevention of WPV requires systemic solutions and increased awareness of the issue.

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Citation rules

Szynal, Dominika, and Tomasz Olszowski. “Workplace Violence Against Nurses As a Public Health Issue: A Narrative Review ”. Państwo I Społeczeństwo State and Society, vol. 26, Sept. 2026, p. 107, doi:10.31749/2451-0858-SaS-2026-107.

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Vol. 26 (2026)
Published: 2026-01-01


ISSN: 1643-8299
eISSN: 2451-0858
Ikona DOI 10.31749/2451-0858-SaS

Publisher
AFM Publishing House of the Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University

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