Perceived professional competence and workplace violence management ability among nursing students: a cross-sectional study

TL;DR

This study explores how nursing students' professional skills relate to their ability to manage workplace violence during clinical training.

Contribution

The study identifies a moderate positive relationship between professional competence and violence management ability in nursing students.

Findings

Professional competence significantly predicts violence management competence (β = 0.388, R² = 0.154, p < 0.001).

Self-confidence and problem-solving ability are descriptively linked to higher competence levels.

Nearly half of the students reported exposure to workplace violence, primarily verbal and psychological.

Abstract

Nursing students frequently face workplace violence during clinical practice, which may affect their professional competence and ability to manage such situations. Although workplace violence in nursing education has been studied, the relationship between students’ professional competence and their violence management competence remains insufficiently explored. Therefore, this study aimed to examine this relationship in clinical practice.

This descriptive-correlational study used a convenience sampling method and included 223 nursing students from a public university between January and May 2024. Data were collected using the Student Information Form, the Competency Inventory for Nursing Students, and the Management of Workplace Violence Competence Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, linear regression analysis, and group comparisons using ANOVA and independent t-tests.

A moderate positive correlation was found between professional competence and violence management competence. The mean age of the students was 21.16 years; most were female (65%) and in their third or fourth year of study. Professional competence and violence management scores were slightly above the theoretical midpoints (M = 231.65, SD = 37.14; M = 98.23, SD = 13.48). Nearly half of the students (45.8%) reported exposure to workplace violence, most commonly verbal and psychological. Higher competence levels were descriptively observed based on self-reported self-confidence and problem-solving ability. Professional competence significantly predicted violence management competence (β = 0.388, R² = 0.154, p < 0.001).

Professional competence and violence management are interrelated. Self-confidence, problem-solving ability, motivation, and passion for nursing showed descriptive associations with both competence measures.