Violence towards nursing and midwifery students during practice placements and perceptions of training requirements.

ORCID

Abstract

Background: Healthcare personnel worldwide are exposed to violence andaggression within the workplace. This is despite legislation, policies andguidelines to protect healthcare workers. This violence and aggression alsoincludes healthcare students including nursing and midwifery students. Thereis limited evidence available regarding the experiences and thoughts of nursingand midwifery students about this phenomenon. Aim: To explore student nurseand midwife experiences of violence when in the placement setting. Methods:A mixed-methods cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted involvingpreregistration nursing and midwifery students in a university in the UK. Theresearch study was planned and reported based on the CROSS checklist. Thesurvey was distributed to 1681 students and 369 responded, giving a responserate of 22%. There were 364 qualitative responses within the survey. Thisarticle reports only on the qualitative comments drawn from two open-endedquestions, which were thematically analysed based on Braun and Clarke’s sixstepprocess. Findings: Two themes emerged, ‘Experiences of sustaining andwitnessing violence and aggression’ and ‘Training, education and measures toprevent violence and aggression’. Conclusions: It is imperative that studentsreceive the most effective and evidence-based education and training to helpto prevent and manage violence and aggression while on their programme.It is also imperative that nursing and midwifery students are aware of theimportance of reporting episodes of violence and aggression to ensure thatstudents receive the appropriate support and follow up to prevent and helplessen the emotional impact.

Publication Date

2026-08-06

Publication Title

British Journal of Nursing

Volume

35

Issue

15

ISSN

0966-0461

Acceptance Date

2025-10-29

Deposit Date

2025-10-30

Embargo Period

2027-02-06

Keywords

Violence, Student experiences, Student nurse, Student midwife, Training

First Page

766

Last Page

766

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This item is under embargo until 06 February 2027

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