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.

Download the Position Statement on Workplace Violence to learn more.

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

• Incivility refers to low-intensity, disrespectful behaviors that violate norms of mutual respect in ways that are often ambiguous or difficult to address directly.
• Bullying, in contrast, involves repeated, intentional acts of hostility or aggression—often characterized by a power imbalance—that causes harm or distress over time.
• Workplace Violence is any act or threat (intentional or non-intentional) of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening, disruptive behavior from any individual including care recipients, students, family members, colleagues or co-workers, and outside individuals. It includes but is not limited to verbal, 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.