Workplace Violence Prevention

Group of nurses outside U.S. capitol building with raised fists

New report: High and rising rates of workplace violence and employer failure to implement effective prevention strategies is contributing to the staffing crisis

NNU's survey results reveal majority of nurses have experienced workplace violence, with nearly half seeing a rise in rates in the past year.

Sign "Workplace Violence Puts Everyone at Risk"

Workplace Violence Prevention: Safe Staffing is a Key Measure

Workplace violence is significantly more likely to happen when units are short-staffed and when nurses have heavy workloads. Read our fact sheet to learn more.

Group of nurses at podium

Workplace Violence and Covid-19 in Health Care: How the Hospital Industry Created an Occupational Syndemic

This report details stark evidence of how the dual failures of health care employers to protect nurses and patients from Covid-19 and workplace violence synergistically interact to amplify the harms caused by each individually.

Resources

Nurses outside capitol building hold signs calling for safe workplaces

What is workplace violence?

Workplace violence is an occupational hazard that occurs frequently in health care workplaces. It can be any act of violence or threat of violence that occurs within the worksite or while an employee is doing their job.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin in front of podium.

Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

Learn more about the bill would mandate that OSHA create a federal standard requiring health care and social service employers to develop and implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans.

Injury to None

This brief is a comprehensive overview of what workplace violence is, including summaries of the leading research to date on its prevalence, impacts, and prevention, and details how we are working to stop it.

Workplace violence prevention tips

Here’s advice from five nurses who have been working on mitigating and preventing workplace violence at their facilities.

California regulations are a model for the nation

In California, employers are required by law to have comprehensive, unit-specific workplace violence prevention plans in place.

We need your help to pass The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act and strengthen protections for health care workers in their workplaces. Take action by sending a letter to your members of Congress today.

Press releases

Large group of nurses outside hospital holding signs "New Orleans RNs:Ready to Fight"

University Medical Center nurses demand hospital act to prevent workplace violence

Registered nurses at University Medical Center in New Orleans, La. will hold a speak-out on Thursday, June 20 to highlight urgent safety concerns facing nurses and patients and hospital management’s lack of action.
John Muir Health nurses holding picket outside hospital

Concord nurses to hold informational picket for improved patient safety, a major factor in recruiting and retaining nurses

Registered nurses at John Muir Health, in Concord, Calif., will hold an informational picket to highlight their serious patient safety concerns, including staffing challenges and workplace violence issues.
Group of Atlanta VA nurses holding signs "Staff up for safe care! End crisis care now!"

Atlanta VA nurses to hold protest for patient safety and workplace violence prevention

Nurses at the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center will hold a protest to call attention to their serious patient safety concerns, including ongoing short-staffing, poor security measures to prevent workplace violence, and a lack of leadership accountability.
Nurses in DC government hallway with signs "Safer hospitals safer care. Stop workplace violence before it happens"

NNU report shows increased rates of workplace violence experienced by nurses

A nationwide survey conducted by NNU found that the majority of nurses have experienced workplace violence and nearly half have seen a rise in rates in the past year.
All workplace violence press releases