Nursing Program Gets Grant to Teach De-Escalation, Prevent Workplace Violence
Image source: Indiana University South Bend
IUSB nursing program receives grant for mental health de-escalation training is introducing mental health de-escalation training to its nursing program, supported by a three-year grant from the Valinhos Foundation. The initiative targets the growing challenge of workplace violence and aims to equip nurses with practical skills to recognize, intervene, and manage mental health crises in various healthcare settings.
Trends in Workplace Safety for Nurses
National surveys and research show that nurses are among those most likely to experience workplace violence, with the American Nurses Association reporting that one in four nurses have been physically assaulted at work. This program seeks to directly address these risks by providing preventative training focused on early intervention, aiming to reduce violent incidents and improve nurse retention rates—it is reported currently, up to half of nurses leave the profession within three years, often due to workplace stressors and safety concerns.
IUSB Mental Health De-escalation Training: Key Elements
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Certification of a core group of instructors.
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Instructors train all 150 nursing students, as well as faculty and staff.
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Cascade training model to promote sustainability and continued expertise.
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Course content includes:
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Suicide prevention certification.
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Recognizing early signs of mental distress or agitation.
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De-escalation and mental health crisis management techniques.
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Strategies for early intervention to avert crises.
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Plan to expand training to the wider university and South Bend community.
While specific module titles or a detailed curriculum breakdown are not yet publicly listed, these areas capture the main components described for the program. The focus is on proactive, preventive skills and early response to workplace and community mental health challenges
Proactive, Preventative Approach
This program is distinguished by its focus on prevention. Rather than concentrating exclusively on crisis response, the curriculum emphasizes recognizing agitation and intervening before situations escalate. This supports findings from recent studies showing that de-escalation training can enhance nurse self-efficacy and confidence in handling aggressive or distressed patients.
Community and Career Impacts
While the initial focus is nursing education at IUSB, future outreach is expected to benefit healthcare providers and the broader South Bend community. By incorporating mental health crisis management into the core curriculum, IUSB prepares nurses for real-world scenarios across healthcare environments and aligns with recommendations from organizations like the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.
IUSB’s program reflects a broader movement in nursing education to integrate mental health and safety competencies into core curricula. Recent studies indicate that workplace violence prevention and de-escalation training can decrease incidents of aggression and improve nurses’ confidence and preparedness in difficult situations. These efforts may contribute positively to workplace safety, professional development, and potential retention in the nursing field.
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