Workplace Violence/ #EndNurseAbuse
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1 in 4 Nurses are Abused
OSHA Standards Needed to Prevent Workplace Violence
Legislation introduced in Congress
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Protect Yourselves, Protect Your Patients
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.
Support
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.
Download, read and share the #EndNurseAbuse Resource Guide and commit to reporting all abuses that you encounter.
Educate Yourself
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.
Abuse is never your fault.
- IBWV Position Statement
- IBWV Recommendations brochure
- NIOSH Types of Violence
- Culture of Safety Position
Hear the Message 
Take a listen to and share the #EndNurseAbuse ad which can be heard on iHeartMedia podcasts and radio.
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.
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.
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.
Violence is not part of the job video
Share
ANA prioritizes development of enforceable federal standards that establish active roles for health care workers to identify and address the risks of violence in their unique settings.
Download the 2-page PDF document.
NIOSH WPV Prevention for Nurses training. This free, interactive course is designed to help healthcare workers better understand the scope and nature of violence in the workplace.
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/violence/training_nurses.html
:: Member resource regarding Workplace Hazards and Concerns.
Download the PDF document.
:: Informational OSHA flyer.
Download the PDF document.
Infographic on Workplace Violence (WPV).
Download the PDF document.
Series of graphic cards with important facts and testimony on Nurse Abuse.
Download the PDF document.
Downloadable Resources
Digital Resources
- Downloadable Graphics: Preventing Bullying poster and Civility Best Practices poster
- Key Recommendations for Nurses and Employers Tri-Fold
Related ANA Position statements
- Addressing Nurse Fatigue to Promote Safety and Health: Joint Responsibilities of Registered Nurses and Employers to Reduce Risks
- Incivility, Bullying, and Workplace Violence
- Just culture
- Patient Safety: Rights of Registered Nurses When Considering a Patient Assignment
- Sexual Harassment
ANA Books
- Bullying in the Workplace: Reversing a Culture
This book will enable nurses to understand and deal with bullying and its perpetrators and to counter the culture of bullying in their work environments. - Not Part of the Job: How to Take a Stand Against Violence in the Work Setting
This book outlines the factors that create barriers to reduce violence against health care workers; and offers strategies and tools that can address them.
Additional Resources
Below are some additional anti-bullying resources created by other health care organizations that you might find useful:
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