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Workplace violence is a major public health concern that has received growing attention. Recent media regarding workplace violence in the healthcare industry, has raised the level of consciousness regarding the adverse effects of violence. It is abundantly clear that violence at work from patients, colleagues, and workplace intruders, is a significant occupational health hazard for nurses in all settings.1 All nurses, regardless of experience or position, are at risk of workplace violence. A position statement released by the American Nurses Association (ANA) indicates incivility, bullying, and violence in the workplace are serious issues in nursing.2 ANA defines incivility as one or more rude, discourteous, or disrespectful actions that may or may not have a negative intent behind them.2 Bullying is defined as repeated, unwanted, harmful actions intended to humiliate, offend, and cause distress in the recipient. Some examples of workplace violence include direct physical assaults (with or without a weapon), written or verbal threats, physical or verbal harassment, and homicide.2 The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) classifies workplace violence into four basic types:3
* Type I: Involves criminal intent. In this type of workplace violence, individuals with criminal intent have no relationship to the business or its employees.
* Type II: Involves a customer, client,...