Understanding the Lived Experiences of Nurses and Care Attendants in a Pediatric Hospital Who Experience Patient Aggression.

Introduction: This phenomenological research study aimed to describe the lived experiences of nurses and care attendants in a pediatric hospital who experience patient aggression.

Methods: Purposive sampling was used to identify nurses and care attendants who worked in the emergency department and a medical-surgical unit. Interviews were conducted, and Husserl's descriptive (eidetic) phenomenology was used to explore, analyze, and describe the lived experiences of staff who experience patient aggression. Data were audited according to the 7 steps of Colaizzi's method for descriptive research.

Results: Eleven participants shared their lived experiences, which resulted in 6 primary themes: (1) complex phenomenon of pediatric patient aggression, (2) physical and psychological impact of patient aggression on staff, (3) perceptions of acceptance of patient aggression, (4) staff's perception of efforts to address patient aggression, (5) influence of education and experience on the management of patient aggression, and (6) organizational implications of managing patient aggression.

Discussion: Patient aggression has a significant physical and psychological impact on nurses and care attendants in pediatric hospital settings. The complexity of this type of aggression requires organizations to have an intentional and comprehensive approach to ensure patient and staff safety. Effectively addressing patient aggression requires a comprehensive approach that includes collaboration among community and provider stakeholders, engaged and supportive leaders, effective policies, staff experienced in de-escalation, education that translates into clinical practice, and purposeful strategies to address perceptions of acceptance of patient aggression.