We are not punching bags: the impact of health-related violence news on nursing students' professional perceptions - a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Media news of violence in healthcare shape public opinion and exert emotional and professional pressure on healthcare students. For nursing students, such news particularly influences perceptions of the profession during the sensitive pre-graduation stage. This study explores how media-reported violence affects the professional perceptions of senior nursing students. Methods: A phenomenological qualitative design was employed with 28 senior nursing students. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using content analysis. Results: Four main themes with nine sub-themes emerged: (1) Perceptions and Interpretations of Violence in Healthcare, (2) Individual and Professional Reflections of Violent News, (3) Perceived Causes of Violence in Healthcare, and (4) Suggested Solutions. Students reported emotional reactions such as fear, anxiety, alienation from the profession, reduced motivation, and uncertainty about their future in nursing. At the same time, they displayed solution-oriented thinking and critical awareness of systemic factors. Conclusions: Media exposure to violence-related news generates professional anxiety and secondary traumatic stress in nursing students. It shapes professional identity, weakens commitment, and fosters uncertainty about future roles, while also encouraging reflection on systemic solutions.