Date of Conferral
12-1-2025
Date of Award
December 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Catherine Garner
Abstract
Introduction This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Leadership Project is focused on the reduction of workplace violence in a critical access hospital using an organized prevention program. Workplace violence in nursing is increasing, exposing the health of staff, patient safety, and quality of care in critical access hospitals. The question of the DNP project is: In nurses (P) in small critical access hospitals, how does implementing a structured workplace violence prevention program (I) compared to having no formal violence prevention strategy (C) impact the occurrence of workplace aggression and perceptions of safety among staff (O)? This practicum project used the Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice (JHEBP) model and the quantitative and qualitative data analysis to determine the impact of the intervention. Background information included observed workplace violence instances, employee survey on safety, violence related absences, and attrition rates both before and after the intervention. The aim is to have a 30% reduction of reported violence, a 20% improvement in the perceived level of safety by staff, and a 15% decrease in turnover rates. These results can demonstrate that structured prevention programs are efficient in achieving safety and career contentment. This program used the holistic principles of workplace violence prevention, staff training modules, and a robust reporting system. Further aspects included continued supportive leadership, routine training, additional training based on feedback, and the inclusion of technology such as panic buttons and electronic reporting devices. The program supports safer working conditions, inclusive care settings, and social change in rural health care settings. It therefore facilitates equity as all staff are made to feel secure, empowered, and safe.
Recommended Citation
Tejada, Mercedes Ivette, "Executive Summary: Executive Leadership System Improvement Workplace Violence" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 18718.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/18718
