Nurses are at high risk for assaults and violence in the workplace due to their close proximity to patients. According to a Press Ganey Survey Report (2021), 2 nurses per hour are assaulted in the acute care setting.

Incivility, bullying, and violence in the workplace are serious issues in nursing, with incivility and bullying widespread in all settings.

Incivility is one or more rude, discourteous, or disrespectful actions that may or may not have a negative intent behind them . ANA defines bullying as repeated, unwanted, harmful actions intended to humiliate, offend, and cause distress in the recipient. Workplace Violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening, disruptive behavior from patients, patient's family members, external individuals, and hospital personnel. It includes physical, sexual, and psychological assaults.

Such acts of aggression be they verbal or physical are entirely unacceptable, whether delivered by patients or colleagues. These incidents not only have a serious effect on the wellbeing of the nurse in question but also their ability to care for their patients.

This under-reported epidemic has devastating results on the healthcare industry. Studies show that WPV can affect the quality of care and care outcomes, contribute to the development of psychological conditions, and reduce the RN's level of job satisfaction and organizational commitment.

 

Resources are available to help you prevent violence against nurses, incivility and bullying with tips on what you should do if you encounter a violent patient, family member or colleague.
Nurses should first educate themselves on how to maintain a culture of safety in the workplace. This involves collaboration between leadership and staff to develop safety policies to ensure that patients and nurses are safe.

The Issues Brief: Reporting Incidents of Violence provides guidance on creating a culture that supports reporting as well as mechanisms to support zero-tolerance policies. It also outlines recommendations for workplace violence prevention.

Take a listen to and share the #EndNurseAbuse ad which can be heard on iHeartMedia podcasts and radio.

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Webinar: It's NOT Part of the Job!

You CAN do something about workplace violence (WPV). Attend the Violence Against Nurses: It's NOT Part of the Job! webinar to examine approaches to intervene and prevent acts of WPV. Also here about the ANA's position and measure to eliminate WPV against nurses. 

Register for WPV Webinar

 

Webinar: Workplace Violence Against Nurses: What You Can Do

Workplace violence can be prevented, and nurses can lead the way. This on-demand webinar addresses what every nurse needs to know about the challenge of workplace violence against nurses.

Register for Webinar

Or watch short videos cut from this webinar on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf2d17tjKiop_fIRXbI5Jz9WC44Xz0Qei

 

Workplace violence in nursing is a real and prevalent problem. We are speaking up, and raising awareness of the issue to inspire change. Watch this #ENA video.