Background: Workplace violence (WPV) is a significant occupational hazard in healthcare, with nursing students being particularly vulnerable during clinical training. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, types, characteristics, and reporting of WPV experienced by undergraduate nursing students in the North West Bank, Palestine.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 332 nursing students from three universities in the North West Bank (An-Najah National University, Arab American University, Nablus University). Data were collected via a self-administered online questionnaire adapted from the WHO/ILO/ICN/PSI survey instrument, covering demographics, exposure to physical, verbal, bullying, sexual, and racial violence, reporting procedures, satisfaction with incident handling, and perceived usefulness of preventive measures. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and t-tests using SPSS version 21.

Results: Verbal violence was the most prevalent form reported (68.9%), followed by bullying (60.5%), racial violence (44.3%), physical violence (31.1%), and sexual violence (19.8%). While verbal violence and bullying were common, they had lower perceived disturbance scores compared to physical and sexual violence, which, although less frequent, were associated with higher disturbance. Significant gaps in awareness of reporting procedures were found (52.7% unaware). Satisfaction with incident handling was generally neutral. Female students reported significantly higher rates of physical and sexual violence (p < 0.05). Significant differences in violence types were observed across universities. Improving the environment and providing training were perceived as the most useful preventive measures.

Conclusion: Workplace violence is highly prevalent among nursing students in the North West Bank, with significant underreporting and systemic weaknesses in institutional support. Verbal abuse and bullying are common, while physical and sexual violence pose serious threats, particularly to female students. Urgent interventions are needed, including enhanced training, clear reporting protocols, robust institutional support, and university-hospital collaboration, to ensure student safety and well-being in clinical settings.

Keywords- Workplace Violence; Nursing Students; Clinical Training; Palestine; Cross-sectional Survey