The silent scream of nurses: a qualitative study

Abstract

Introduction. Nowadays, the importance of nursing science is increasing in the organization, execution, and development of health services. Nurses working in the health institutions encounter countless tragedies while performing healthcare services to patients and families where uninterrupted service is provided 7 days 24 hours. Biopsychosocial changes seen in individuals because of violence in the working environment are silent screams. It is necessary to share feelings and experiences to make the silent scream audible.
 Aim. In this article, it is aimed to contribute to narrative studies, to draw attention to the violence experienced by nurses in the working environment and the insufficiency of the measures taken by examining the patient stories of two nurses with clinical experience.
 Method. In the study, two nurses with a professional experience of five years or more were asked to write one of the most memorable anecdotes they have experienced in their professional life. The anecdotes were analyzed through the "Novel, Story, Epic, Tale, Diary, Memory, Mythology and Analogous Rating Scale".
 Results. Three sub-problems are discussed in this research. Data related to each sub-problem were collected and analyzed. In these two narratives, it was determined that the patients behaved implausible in some situations and their problematic behavior was the dominant common feature. In the first narrative, the categories can be classified under "Behavior of the patients - solutions of the nurses" and in the second narrative under "Emotions of the patient - Emotions of the nurses". The primary point to be reached in both stories can be considered as follows: "The professional approach of healthcare professionals towards challenging patient behaviors they confront." The incidence of violence could be reduced if the nurses have adequate professional knowledge, experience, and skills and inform patients about the procedures.
 Conclusion. In this study, it is emphasized that sufficient measures are not taken in violence against healthcare professionals in Turkey, that seriously affects employee health and negatively affects the functionality of health services in terms of quality.