"We’re Not Safe at Work”: Hospital Violence Pushes Nurses To Call For Change
If you’ve been in nursing long enough, you’ve probably dodged a flying object or endured a heated outburst more times than you can count. For many nurses, it’s become an unfortunate part of the job. But lately, violence in healthcare isn’t just occasional—it appears to be escalating.
Across the country, nurses are facing a disturbing rise in workplace assaults. Recent data shows that healthcare workers are now five times more likely to experience violence on the job than workers in any other field. It's not just numbers—it’s real people with real injuries.
National Outrage Over Workplace Violence
Violence against nurses is becoming alarmingly common, putting dedicated caregivers at serious risk. In a National Nurses United (NNU) survey, a nurse from Illinois reported, “Working on a psych unit with 20 patients and two nurses, while being a charge nurse. I have been verbally and physically threatened. I have been punched, slapped, spat on, hit, kicked, and bitten.”
Another example of the dangers nurses face was tragically displayed in February at an HCA Hospital in Florida, when 67-year-old nurse Leelama Lal was beaten nearly to death by patient Stephen Scantlebury. The beating was so severe that Lal was expected to lose the use of both eyes, and every bone in her face was broken. This brutal attack has sparked outrage, not just for the terrifying violence but for the 911 call that was released, featuring remarks a hospital administrator made during the incident.
These stories are not isolated—the NNU survey showed that 8 in 10 nurses have experienced violence at work in the past year. Many are now calling for hospitals and lawmakers to take real action to protect those who care for us all.
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Understanding Workplace Violence in Healthcare
Workplace violence encompasses a range of behaviors, including physical assaults, verbal threats, harassment, and bullying. Several factors contribute to this disturbing trend. Patient-related issues, such as substance abuse and mental health crises, play a significant role. Frustration with the healthcare system (e.g., long wait times and insurance denials) can also fuel violence.
Additionally, societal violence often spills over into healthcare settings. Perhaps most alarming, chronic understaffing and heavy workloads make nurses more vulnerable, leaving them less prepared to handle potential threats. Recognizing the types and causes of workplace violence is crucial to addressing and preventing such incidents.
Legislative Lifelines and State Actions
Workplace violence against nurses is rising at an alarming rate, contributing to the ongoing staffing crisis, according to NNU’s 2023 report. The survey, which gathered data from nearly 1,000 nurses across 48 states and D.C., along with focus group input from 31 nurses in seven states, highlights not only the surge in violence but also employers’ failure to implement effective prevention strategies—an issue made worse by the healthcare industry’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic. NNU is now demanding urgent action to protect healthcare workers and their patients.
The severity of the situation has caught the attention of lawmakers. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Joe Courtney have proposed federal legislation that aims to require healthcare employers to implement workplace violence prevention plans. Should this become law, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would ensure these requirements are enforced across more than 300,000 healthcare establishments nationwide.
The Proposed Plan of Action
The proposed plan of action to address workplace violence in healthcare is factual, and it aligns with best practices and legislative proposals, including the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act.
The following elements of this proposed plan of action are supported by guidance from OSHA, The Joint Commission, CDC, and recent peer-reviewed research:
- Risk Assessments: Conduct unit-specific risk assessments and implement targeted prevention strategies.
- Physical Changes: Implement physical modifications to the workplace, such as panic buttons, secure entry points, and improved lighting, to enhance environmental safety.
- Adequate Staffing: Improve employee staffing levels for both patient care and security roles.
- Loop in the Front Line: Involve frontline employees at every stage of the prevention planning process.
- De-escalation Training: Provide hands-on, comprehensive, mandatory violence prevention and de-escalation training for all healthcare workers.
- Record-Keeping: Maintain a violent incident log and establish standardized, robust record-keeping procedures.
- Reporting Transparency: Foster a culture of transparent reporting without stigma or fear of retaliation.
- Protected Reporting: Protect employees’ rights to report workplace violence and ensure timely responses from employers.
- Procedure Standardization: Implement standardized reporting mechanisms across all healthcare settings.
- Process Maintenance: Regularly review and update workplace violence prevention plans to address new and evolving risks.
- Support Legislation: Advocate for and support legislation such as the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act.
- Nurse Blake’s Petition: Prominent healthcare worker safety advocate, Nurse Blake, launched a petition calling for two significant changes: making assault on nurses a federal crime and mandating the installation of metal detectors in hospitals.
Turning Awareness Into Action: Support Healthcare Workplace Violence Reform
As efforts at both the state and federal levels move forward, there’s cautious hope among nurses that meaningful change is finally within reach. Still, turning that hope into lasting progress will require sustained funding, strong legislation, and consistent implementation across all healthcare settings.
The rise in workplace violence isn’t just a statistic—it’s a daily reality for too many nurses. Behind every number is a caregiver who's been hurt, threatened, or left unsupported. It’s time to turn awareness into action and protect those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
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