The development and testing of a training course in aggression for nursing students: A pre-and post-test study

SummaryBackgroundThe nursing profession has one of the highest assault risks. Managing patient aggression is therefore a challenge for nurses, especially for nursing students. This longitudinal pre–post-test study set out to test the outcome of a training course tailored to the special needs of nursing students on their confidence in coping with patient aggression.MethodsSixty-three nursing students in four groups attended three-day training courses designed specially to meet their needs. Thackrey’s confidence in coping with patient aggression scale was used before the training, immediately after the training, and after two weeks in practical placement. Questionnaires about perceived changes were completed two weeks into practical placements and were analyzed by qualitative content analysis.ResultsA significant enhancement of students’ self-reported confidence in dealing with patient aggression was found. The overall mean score changed significantly from 2.5 in the pre-test to 3.6 after the training. No significant decrease in the score was found after two weeks in the practical placement. Regarding managing aggression almost half of the students became aware of perceived changes in daily practice.ConclusionThe three-day training course is able to support nursing students’ self reported capacities to manage patient aggression.