Exposure to Violence and Therapeutic Communication in Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: Workplace violence negatively affects the professional development of nursing students.

Objectives: To investigate nursing students' exposure to violence, violence-management competence, and therapeutic communication during clinical practice.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study involves 530 nursing students. Data were collected between September 2024 and February 2025 using a Sociodemographic Form, the Workplace Violence Competence Scale, and the Therapeutic Communication Skills Scale.

Results: Violence was reported by 32.8% of students, mainly verbal (60.9%) and psychological (47.1%), often by patients or relatives. Communication skills correlated positively with violence management competence, explaining 18.1% of the variance. Higher self-confidence, problem-solving, voluntary choice of profession, and prior education were associated with better outcomes.

Conclusions: Nursing students are at substantial risk of violence during clinical practice, and their ability to manage it is enhanced by therapeutic communication and supportive factors, underscoring the need to strengthen curricula and faculty preparation.