Nursing students prep for violence

Workplace risks and culture put many on edge

 By CALA ALI

Langara’s dean of nursing says the nursing program’s violence prevention course prepares students to identify potentially violent situations.

Anne Syme says that the mandatory course helps prepare nurses to reduce the risk of being harmed on the job.

“It’s important for students to be aware that when they enter this intimate space with people that there is both the opportunity for growth and healing, as well as they have to be able to protect themselves, should there be issues where that arises,” said Syme. Each week in B.C., 20 healthcare workers suffer from injuries due to violence at work.

Even though healthcare and social services workers account for 11 per cent of the workforce in B.C. they are involved in 57 per cent of all workplace violence claims, according to the Health Employers Association of B.C.

The violence prevention course was implemented to address the increasing violence against health-