In this study those nurses who had encountered workplace aggression
were able to describe their experiences through the themes of ‘professional
incompetency’, ‘expectation to cope’and ‘emotional confusion’. Competence
has been widely discussed in psychology in terms of environmental
mastery (Jahoda 1958), ability to cope with difficulties (Bradburn 1969)
and self-efficacy or expectations of mastery (Bandura 1977). A competent
person, according to Warr (1990) is one who has adequate
psychological resources to deal with experienced difficulties. The
theme of ‘professional incompetency’ is in stark contrast with the
prominent image of a nurse, one commonly promoted by the nursing
profession, as that of a person who is in control of what others
would consider to be a chaotic situation (Bowie 2000). Many nurses
themselves would also support the view that they remain in control
even though others are experiencing crises. Being in control and
exuding confidence is fundamental to allaying the fears and concerns
that others may bring to tense and emotional scenarios characteristic
of health impairment. Being a competent nurse is synonymous with
being a nurse who is in control of the clinical environment; therefore,
the inability to prevent, contain or minimise aggression undermines
perceptions of professional competence. Feeling out of control can
cause shifts in the beliefs, expectations, and assumptions that nurses
hold, subsequently triggering disturbing feelings with wide ranging
consequences