Violence Against Nurses: A Crisis in Healthcare

Nurses dedicate their lives to healing and caring for others, yet they increasingly find themselves in harm’s way. Violence against nurses in the workplace is an escalating crisis that not only endangers their safety but also affects the quality of patient care. From verbal abuse to physical attacks, nurses are subjected to alarming levels of violence, often from the very patients and families they are trying to help.

The Reality of Violence Against Nurses

Workplace violence in healthcare is shockingly common. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), healthcare workers suffer workplace violence-related injuries at five times the rate of workers in other industries. Nurses are among the most assaulted professionals, with incidents ranging from verbal threats and intimidation to physical attacks, including hitting, biting, and even life-threatening injuries. Emergency rooms, psychiatric units, and long-term care facilities are particularly high-risk settings. Nurses have reported being punched by intoxicated patients, threatened by frustrated family members, and even attacked with weapons.

One tragic example is the case of a nurse in Minnesota who was brutally assaulted by a patient, suffering severe injuries that left her unable to return to work. In another incident, a nurse in Texas was fatally shot by a patient’s family member over perceived inadequate care. These are not isolated events but part of a disturbing pattern of violence that continues to rise.

“It’s Just Part of the Job”—A Dangerous Mindset

One of the most troubling aspects of violence against nurses is the widespread belief that it is simply “part of the job.” Many in the public—and even within healthcare leadership—hold the misguided notion that because nurses work in high-stress environments, they should expect and tolerate aggression. This mindset normalizes violence and discourages both reporting incidents and demanding better protections.

Imagine telling a police officer, firefighter, or teacher that being assaulted is an unavoidable aspect of their profession. It would be unacceptable. Yet, when nurses speak out about workplace violence, they are often met with indifference or even blame. Some are told they should have “handled the situation better” or that they knew what they were signing up for when they entered the field. This dangerous narrative shifts responsibility onto nurses instead of holding perpetrators accountable and demanding systemic change.

The Far-Reaching Impact of Violence Against Nurses

Violence against nurses extends far beyond the immediate physical and emotional harm inflicted on individual healthcare workers. It has a profound ripple effect on patient care, hospital systems, and society as a whole. When nurses are forced to work in an environment where they fear for their safety, the very foundation of compassionate, quality healthcare is compromised.

The Emotional and Psychological Toll on Nurses

Nurses enter the profession with a passion for caring and healing, but repeated exposure to violence can leave lasting emotional scars. Many nurses suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression due to workplace assaults. Some develop a constant sense of unease, always on guard for the next verbal attack or physical confrontation. Over time, this fear and stress lead to burnout, causing many experienced nurses to leave the profession altogether.

Compromised Patient Care

A nurse working in fear cannot provide the same level of care as one who feels safe and supported. When violence is normalized or dismissed as “part of the job,” it forces nurses into survival mode—prioritizing their own well-being over patient interaction. Some nurses, understandably, may hesitate to enter a room where an aggressive patient is present, delaying treatment and potentially worsening health outcomes. Others may become more guarded, less compassionate, or emotionally detached as a defense mechanism. This ultimately erodes the patient-nurse relationship, reducing the quality of care.

The Worsening Nursing Shortage

Nursing is already experiencing a workforce crisis, and workplace violence is making it worse. When nurses leave the field due to fear, trauma, or exhaustion, it places an even greater burden on those who remain. Short-staffed hospitals lead to increased patient loads, longer wait times, and a decline in overall patient safety. This shortage isn’t just a problem for hospitals—it affects public health on a larger scale. Fewer nurses mean fewer people available to provide life-saving care during emergencies, pandemics, and natural disasters.

A Dangerous Precedent for Society

When violence against nurses is tolerated or dismissed, it sends a dangerous message—that those who dedicate their lives to helping others do not deserve protection. If healthcare workers are expected to endure abuse as part of their job, it sets a precedent that violence in professional settings is acceptable. This not only discourages future generations from entering the field but also erodes trust in the healthcare system.

The healthcare industry, policymakers, and the public must acknowledge and address this crisis. Protecting nurses means protecting patient care, hospital integrity, and ultimately, public health. Nurses should not have to choose between their safety and their calling to serve.

The Policy and Systemic Failures Allowing Violence to Continue

Despite the growing number of violent incidents, little has changed to protect nurses. Several systemic failures contribute to the persistence of workplace violence in healthcare settings:

The Underreporting and Normalization of Violence

Many nurses do not report violent incidents because they fear retaliation, doubt that action will be taken, or simply feel it’s futile. This lack of reporting leads to a dangerous normalization of violence, reinforcing the belief that abuse is just part of the job.  (Clinical Advisor, 2025)

Weak Legislative Protections

While some states have taken action, the U.S. still lacks comprehensive federal laws specifically addressing workplace violence in healthcare. The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, which would require healthcare facilities to implement violence prevention plans, passed the House but stalled in the Senate.  (Nurse.com, 2025)

Insufficient Security and Prevention Measures

Many healthcare facilities lack adequate security personnel, emergency response plans, and de-escalation training. Without proper prevention strategies, nurses remain vulnerable to violent encounters. (Press Ganey 2022)

The Data Speaks for Itself

The statistics surrounding workplace violence in nursing are staggering:

• 81.6% of nurses have experienced at least one form of workplace violence in the past year.
• 45.5% of nurses have witnessed an increase in violence on their unit. (ANA, 2022)

Nurses face more workplace violence than police officers and correctional staff.  (Campbell, 2021)

Gender Dynamics and the Disproportionate Targeting of Nurses

One of the stark realities of violence against nurses is the gender disparity within the profession. The nursing workforce is overwhelmingly made up of women—about 86% of registered nurses in the U.S. are female. This makes them easier targets for aggression, whether it be verbal abuse, intimidation, or physical violence. Women in caregiving roles have historically been expected to remain patient, accommodating, and submissive, even in the face of mistreatment. This outdated stereotype emboldens some patients, family members, and even colleagues to treat nurses with disrespect, as though enduring abuse is simply part of their role.

Another troubling aspect of this issue is how nurses—especially women—often bear the brunt of a patient’s or family’s anger, even when they are not the ones making major medical decisions. In many cases, a male physician delivers a difficult diagnosis or prescribes a challenging treatment plan, yet it is the nurse who faces the emotional fallout. Patients and families lash out at the nurse because she is the most accessible figure at the bedside. This misplaced frustration leads to verbal abuse, threats, and sometimes physical harm, even though nurses are simply carrying out medical orders and advocating for the best patient outcomes.

While disrespect toward nurses has always existed, the COVID-19 pandemic took it to an entirely new level. Nurses became scapegoats for frustrations over hospital policies, visitor restrictions, and even the progression of an illness that was beyond their control. Family members, grieving and overwhelmed, increasingly directed their pain at nurses who were already working under extreme conditions. Since the pandemic, the tolerance for violence against nurses seems to have grown, with many continuing to face heightened hostility without the protections or systemic changes necessary to keep them safe.

What Needs to Change

Stronger Legal Protections– Laws must be enforced to prosecute those who commit violent acts against healthcare workers. Assaulting a nurse should carry the same weight as assaulting a law enforcement officer.

Zero-Tolerance Policies– Healthcare institutions must adopt and strictly enforce zero-tolerance policies for violence, ensuring that incidents are addressed rather than dismissed.

Improved Security Measures – More hospitals should implement panic buttons, security personnel, and surveillance to deter potential attacks.

Education and De-Escalation Training – While nurses shouldn’t be expected to “manage” violence, proper training in de-escalation techniques can help prevent dangerous situations from escalating

Encouraging Incident Reporting – Many nurses hesitate to report violent incidents for fear of retaliation or being seen as weak. Healthcare facilities must create a culture where nurses feel safe speaking up.

A Call to Action

Nurses should not have to accept violence as a workplace hazard. It is time for hospitals, lawmakers, and the public to take this issue seriously. If we truly value our healthcare workers, we must demand better protections, stronger laws, and a cultural shift that no longer excuses violence as “part of the job.”

It’s time to challenge this narrative. Nurses deserve the same protections as any other professionals in high-risk jobs. Police officers and firefighters don’t tolerate assault as “part of the job”—why should nurses? Stronger policies, better enforcement, and a cultural shift are needed to ensure that every healthcare worker can do their job without fear of violence.

To all the nurses who have been victims of workplace violence: You are not alone, and you should never have to accept abuse as part of your job. It’s time for a safer, more just healthcare system.

Have you or someone you know experienced workplace violence as a nurse? Share your story in the comments. Let’s shine a light on this issue and push for real change.

References:

American Nurses Association. (2022). Workplace violence. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/state/workplace-violence/

Benjamin, A.(2025 March 7) Workplace Violence in Nursing: Will it end?  Nurse.com  https://www.nurse.com/blog/workplace-violence-in-nursing-when-will-it-end

Blomquist, J. (2025, March 12). How the Hidden Epidemic of Violence Against Nurses Affects Health Care. Clinical Advisor.  https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/features/how-the-hidden-epidemic-of-violence-against-nurses-affects-health-care/

Campbell, S. (2021). Nurses face rising violence in hospitals: ‘Patients are becoming more aggressive’. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/11/02/nurse-violence-hospitals/

Emergency Nurses Association. (2022). Workplace violence against nurses: An ongoing crisis. https://www.ena.org/workplace-violence

Joint Commission. (2018). Workplace violence prevention: New standards for hospitals. https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/news/2018/07/workplace-violence-prevention-new-standards-for-hospitals/

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2021). Guidelines for preventing workplace violence for healthcare and social service workers. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence

Press Ganey. (2022). The growing crisis of violence against nurses: Strategies for prevention and intervention. https://www.pressganey.com/resources/reports/violence-against-nurses