ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the reality of workplace violence experienced by emergency nurses and the relationship of violence response to professional quality of life. METHODS: The participants in this study were 899 emergency nurses from Korea nationwide. Data were obtained through an online survey done during October, 2017. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Of the emergency nurses, 72.1% recognized that workplace violence is serious. Experience with workplace violence correlated positively with violence reaction (r=.32, p < .001), burnout (r=.20, p < .001) and secondary trauma (r=.22, p < .001). Also, reaction to violence was positively correlated with burnout (r=.28, p < .001) and secondary trauma (r=.56, p < .001). CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that the diverse workplace violence experienced by emergency nurses decreases their professional quality of life. Further study is needed to develop solutions to the problem of workplace violence in emergency settings.