Nurse Assaulted by Patient, Loses Pregnancy—Her Story Exposes Healthcare’s Safety Crisis
Disclaimer: This article discusses violence, assault and pregnancy loss and may be triggering to some readers. Discretion is advised.
Violence against healthcare workers is on the rise. From brutal assaults to hostage situations, nurses across the U.S. are increasingly finding themselves in dangerous environments. Yet, despite the growing threat, the public and institutional response remains largely inadequate.
A Nurse’s Story in Focus
It’s within this troubling reality that Nurse Converse host Nurse Jana sits down with Lora Smith, a psychiatric nurse from Iowa, and attorney Robert Rehkemper. Together, they share a sobering yet critical conversation about workplace violence in healthcare. What unfolds is a deeply personal and heart-wrenching account of trauma, loss, and the urgent need for systemic reform in the nursing profession.
Lora’s Path to Nursing
Lora Smith knew she wanted to work in healthcare from the time she was six years old. Her journey into nursing, however, was anything but easy. After years of varied work — including retail and driving delivery trucks — she eventually earned her nursing degree and began her career in a psychiatric treatment facility. Her role, like that of many nurses, was multifaceted, and both physically and emotionally demanding.
A Devastating Tragedy
Lora’s story stands as a devastating example of this systemic failure. Assigned as charge nurse in an understaffed psychiatric unit, she encountered a violent incident involving a patient with a history of aggression. Despite her efforts to de-escalate the situation, Lora was physically assaulted — kicked in the stomach by the adolescent male patient — the day after learning her long-awaited IVF pregnancy had been successful.
The injury caused by the assault ultimately led to the loss of Lora's pregnancy. But what followed may be even more alarming: her employer’s response. Despite immediately reporting the incident and requesting medical care, she was told she had to stay on duty due to staffing shortages. She continued working, in physical and emotional pain, for days after the assault.
Systemic Failures in Safety
According to Lora, the facility had no on-site security, inadequate staff training, unreliable emergency response protocols, and known issues with malfunctioning communication devices — all of which contributed to the environment of danger.
When Lora eventually took time off to grieve her loss, she was written up for an unapproved absence. Her initial injury report was “lost,” and her employer delayed filing her workers’ compensation claim until she obtained legal representation. She was even forced to continue caring for the very patient who caused her injury — and later discovered he was drawing images taunting her loss on the facility’s walls.
Seeking Justice
Attorney Robert Rehkemper, who specializes in government accountability, explains that Lora’s case goes beyond a workers’ compensation claim. He is pursuing legal action against the state of Iowa, seeking justice for what he calls a “willful and wanton disregard of a known risk.”
Rights Every Healthcare Worker Should Know
Robert emphasized key rights every healthcare worker should know:
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The right to a safe and violence-free workplace
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The right to report without fear of retaliation
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The right to proper documentation and follow-up
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The right to receive medical care after an incident
He urges nurses to document thoroughly and report up the chain — and externally if necessary — creating a trail of accountability that can’t be ignored.
Lora’s Ongoing Advocacy
Today, Lora continues to work as a travel nurse, choosing safer environments and using her voice to advocate for change. Her message to other nurses is clear: “There is no job worth your life.” She stresses the importance of listening to your instincts, leaving unsafe environments, and speaking up — even if it means standing alone.
Honoring Loss, Inspiring Change
She’s not alone anymore. Joined by a strong legal team and fellow nurses involved in the same lawsuit, Lora is helping shine a light on the hidden dangers in psychiatric care facilities. Her bravery not only honors the memory of her lost child, Levi, but also paves the way for safer, more just working conditions for nurses everywhere.
An Urgent Call for Change
Lora’s story is not an isolated one. It’s a loud alarm ringing across a profession long plagued by systemic neglect. The Nurse Converse episode is both a tribute to Lora’s courage and a call to action for employers, lawmakers, and nursing organizations to prioritize safety and accountability — before more lives are harmed.
🤔Nurses, what changes do you believe are most urgently needed to make your workplace safer and ensure your voices are truly heard? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!
