ANA Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Blog: When Kindness Meets Violence
Published
The toll of workplace violence on nurses...with mitigation strategies
It’s no secret that people who become nurses tend to be kind and compassionate. It’s likely one of the reasons you chose a lifetime of caring for others.
The irony is that as a nurse — whose profession is built on a foundation of kindness — you are 6 times more likely to experience workplace violence than people who don’t work in health care.
Workplace violence, which includes acts or threats of physical violence, harassment, or intimidation, can come from patients or their families, co-workers, or supervisors. According to the ANA’s latest definition of workplace violence, it doesn’t matter whether the act or threat is intentional or not — any verbal, physical, sexual, or psychological assault can have a devastating and lasting effect.
The Personal Impact of Workplace Violence
Workplace violence affects every nurse differently, depending on the individual and the incident. A narrative review in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Research discusses 4 types of effects that workplace violence can have on nurses:
Workplace violence is rarely an isolated incident. The repeated distress can cause sleep disorders, fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result, nurses may experience burnout or provide lower-quality patient care. A 2023 survey of more than 7,000 nurses reports that the work environment causes 56% of nurses to have symptoms of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and stress.
How Nurses Can Help Prevent and Manage Workplace Violence
Taking proactive steps to prevent workplace violence is vital to protect the mental and physical health of nurses and ensure patients receive quality care. Organizations like ANA are working to help health care leaders implement policies and procedures to create safe and respectful environments. However, there needs to be commitment from both leadership and frontline health care workers to reduce workplace violence and manage it appropriately when it occurs.
ANA’s Position Statement on Workplace Violence and Code of Ethics for Nurses recommend that nurses treat their colleagues as allies. Those guides suggest nurses offer coworkers the same civility, respect, kindness, and dignity they show patients in their care.
Nurses should also take the following steps to protect themselves and their colleagues from violence:
Recovering From Workplace Violence
Workplace violence often goes underreported because there’s a common misconception that this type of treatment is the norm. However, there are procedures and policies in place to support nurses who experience a verbally or physically violent incident.
If you see or experience workplace violence, you should report the incident to your management immediately. Use the procedures and designated reporting system established by your health care organization. You’ll be asked to create a detailed report of the incident, including:
Most importantly, be sure to seek support and assistance from peers, an employee assistance program (EAP), a health care provider, security team, police, or legal counsel if appropriate. File a workers’ compensation case if physical injury or psychological trauma occurs.
The impact of workplace violence on your mental health can be substantial. The best thing you can do is to get the help you need, treat yourself with kindness, and give yourself time to heal.
How do you manage workplace violence? Share with us in our discussion below.
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Sign up for our monthly challenges!
The irony is that as a nurse — whose profession is built on a foundation of kindness — you are 6 times more likely to experience workplace violence than people who don’t work in health care.
Workplace violence, which includes acts or threats of physical violence, harassment, or intimidation, can come from patients or their families, co-workers, or supervisors. According to the ANA’s latest definition of workplace violence, it doesn’t matter whether the act or threat is intentional or not — any verbal, physical, sexual, or psychological assault can have a devastating and lasting effect.
The Personal Impact of Workplace Violence
Workplace violence affects every nurse differently, depending on the individual and the incident. A narrative review in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Research discusses 4 types of effects that workplace violence can have on nurses:
- Biophysiological: Natural reactions — including fear, anxiety, headache, and irritability — can feel paralyzing and may physically interfere with the quality of care you provide to patients.
- Cognitive: Workplace violence can change your perception of your work environment, leave you with feelings of disbelief, and threaten your integrity. These outcomes may leave you feeling dissatisfied with your current job or even your career as a nurse.
- Emotional: Feelings of anger, guilt, apathy, and helplessness can hinder your ability to sleep well. Ultimately, a lack of quality sleep may affect how you function at work.
- Social: Workplace violence can create a toxic work environment. Any incident may make you feel insecure, antisocial, and lonely in a profession that requires teamwork and decisive action.
Workplace violence is rarely an isolated incident. The repeated distress can cause sleep disorders, fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As a result, nurses may experience burnout or provide lower-quality patient care. A 2023 survey of more than 7,000 nurses reports that the work environment causes 56% of nurses to have symptoms of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and stress.
How Nurses Can Help Prevent and Manage Workplace Violence
Taking proactive steps to prevent workplace violence is vital to protect the mental and physical health of nurses and ensure patients receive quality care. Organizations like ANA are working to help health care leaders implement policies and procedures to create safe and respectful environments. However, there needs to be commitment from both leadership and frontline health care workers to reduce workplace violence and manage it appropriately when it occurs.
ANA’s Position Statement on Workplace Violence and Code of Ethics for Nurses recommend that nurses treat their colleagues as allies. Those guides suggest nurses offer coworkers the same civility, respect, kindness, and dignity they show patients in their care.
Nurses should also take the following steps to protect themselves and their colleagues from violence:
- Become familiar with your organization’s workplace violence policies and procedures. If there aren’t any in place, work with your leadership and colleagues to develop them.
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings so you can recognize threatening situations before they become violent incidents.
- Consider participating in your organization’s workplace safety committee to provide opinions, experiences, and solutions regarding policies, procedures, and reporting.
- Participate in workplace violence programs, training, and educational opportunities offered by your health care organization.
- Use existing tools and environmental controls — such as panic buttons, code words, and de-escalation procedures — to manage violent incidents. Huddles and appropriate hand-off can also be very effective.
- Report workplace violence immediately using the appropriate procedures and participate in any post-incident meetings.
Recovering From Workplace Violence
Workplace violence often goes underreported because there’s a common misconception that this type of treatment is the norm. However, there are procedures and policies in place to support nurses who experience a verbally or physically violent incident.
If you see or experience workplace violence, you should report the incident to your management immediately. Use the procedures and designated reporting system established by your health care organization. You’ll be asked to create a detailed report of the incident, including:
- Names of those involved, including witnesses
- Date and time of the occurrence
- Events leading up to the violence, including previous incidents if applicable
Most importantly, be sure to seek support and assistance from peers, an employee assistance program (EAP), a health care provider, security team, police, or legal counsel if appropriate. File a workers’ compensation case if physical injury or psychological trauma occurs.
The impact of workplace violence on your mental health can be substantial. The best thing you can do is to get the help you need, treat yourself with kindness, and give yourself time to heal.
How do you manage workplace violence? Share with us in our discussion below.
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Sign up for our monthly challenges!
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08/07/2025 2:23pm CDT
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