Aim:
     
     This integrative review explored violence against emergency nurses by patients/visitors, examining its nature, contributing factors and consequences.
   

Design:
     
     Integrative review.
   

Data sources:
     
     Articles were obtained from PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science and PsycInfo databases, up until December 2021.
   

Review methods:
     
     26 articles were reviewed, evaluating study quality with the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool and synthesizing conclusions through theme development and coding.
   

Results:
     
     This review delves into the issue of violence perpetrated against emergency nurses by patients and visitors. It elucidates three overarching themes: the nature of violence, the contributing factors and the consequences of such acts.
   

Conclusion:
     
     The findings inform healthcare policy for the development of prevention approaches while identifying research gaps and emphasizing the need for alternative study designs and methodologies.
   

Impact:
     
     This review has implications for nursing practice, policymaking and research, emphasizing the need for stakeholder engagement and tailored interventions for at-risk emergency nurses.
   

No patient or public contribution:
     
     This project was an integrative review of the literature therefore no patient or public contribution was necessary.
   

What already is known:
     
     Violence by patients and visitors in healthcare settings, especially in emergency departments, has garnered considerable attention.
   

What this paper adds:
     
     This review specifically examines violence-targeting emergency department nurses from patients and visitors, assessing its characteristics, contributing factors and consequences.
   

Implications for practice/policy:
     
     The findings will guide stakeholder engagement in developing interventions to support vulnerable emergency nurses.