Association Between Colleague Violence and the Professional Image of Nursing and Career Decisions Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

AimTo examine how colleague violence affects professional image and career decisions among nursing students.Design and SettingThis cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to March 1, 2023, at two public universities in Turkey.Sample and MethodsAll nursing students who met the inclusion criteria and voluntarily agreed to participate were included without any special sample calculation, and a final sample of 357 students was obtained. Data were collected between February 1 and March 1, 2023. Data were collected using a survey form that included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, as well as three scales: the Exposure to Colleague Violence Scale (ECVS) scale, the Image of Nursing Profession Scale (INPS) scale, and the Career Decision Scale (CDS). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression analyses.ResultsThe mean ECVS score was 45.43 (20.80), the mean INPS score was 147.15 (13.51), and the mean CDS score was 79.67 (17.34). A weak negative correlation was found between colleague violence and nursing image, a weak positive correlation between colleague violence and career decision, and a moderate negative correlation between nursing image and career decision.ConclusionThis study highlights the negative impact of exposure to colleague violence on nursing students, affecting both their professional image and career decision-making. Greater exposure to colleague violence correlates with more negative perceptions of the nursing profession and increased uncertainty in career choices. Implementing targeted interventions to reduce and prevent colleague violence, especially in clinical practice settings, is essential for promoting a positive professional image and supporting informed career decisions among nursing students.Implications for the Profession and Patient CareAddressing and reducing colleague violence among nursing students can enhance their professional image and decision-making regarding their careers, which, in turn, may lead to improved patient care and more significant long-term commitment to the nursing profession.Reporting MethodThis study adhered to the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines for cross-sectional studies.Patient or Public ContributionThere was no patient or public involvement in this study.