Prevalence and associated factors of workplace violence among Chinese nurses in tertiary hospitals: a national cross-sectional study

Background: Workplace violence (WPV) is a major issue for nurses worldwide, causing both physical and mental harm, and impairing their ability to work effectively. Several researches reported on the prevalence of WPV among nurses in China, ranging from 56.4–71%. However, little information is available about the correlates of different types of WPV among nurses across different departments in tertiary hospitals in China. Methods: A self-designed WeChat-based questionnaire was utilized, incorporating demographic and occupational factors. WPV was measured using the Chinese version Workplace Violence Scale. Two questions regarding career choices were employed to assess career satisfaction. Descriptive analyses, chi-square tests, and bivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted. Results: 122,237 participants were included in the analysis. 26.6% of them experienced at least one form of WPV in the past year. Male sex, shift work, postgraduate education, senior professional title, department, and working more than 50 hours per week were factors associated with WPV. Nurses encountered high levels of WPV were less likely to be satisfied with their nursing career. Conclusions: WPV is a special concern for Chinese nurses. Interventions to reduce WPV should be conducted by health authorities to create a zero-violence working environment for nurses, and to increase their career satisfaction.