Nursing is grounded in care, compassion, and professionalism. Yet too many nurses encounter behaviors in the workplace that undermine safety and dignity, from subtle incivility and exclusion to bullying, intimidation, threats, and physical aggression.
These experiences are not rare. They are often systemic, normalized, and left unaddressed.
According to the American Nurses Association, workplace violence includes any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening or disruptive behavior from any individual, including patients, family members, students, colleagues, or outside individuals. It encompasses verbal, physical, sexual, and psychological harm.
Workplace violence is not limited to physical assault. Verbal abuse, bullying, harassment, and incivility can be equally damaging. Over time, these behaviors erode trust, increase stress, contribute to burnout, drive turnover, and compromise patient care.
Addressing workplace violence is central to the Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Safety domain, which focuses on fostering environments where nurses feel protected, respected, and supported physically, psychologically, and professionally. Safety is not optional. It is foundational to delivering compassionate, high-quality care.
The ANA Position Statement on Workplace Violence affirms that incivility, bullying, and violence are unacceptable in any healthcare setting and outlines clear recommendations for both nurses and employers. We encourage you to download and review the full Position Statement for additional guidance and resources.
This ten-day challenge is designed to help you:
• Recognize workplace violence in all its forms
• Examine how culture, systems, and leadership influence safety
• Build confidence in prevention, response, and reporting
• Strengthen boundaries, allyship, and shared accountability
Each day offers one focused, practical action rooted in real nursing experiences. Through awareness, reflection, and small intentional steps, we can shift culture and stand up for safety together. Though this challenge concluded on April 17, 2026, we invite you to try the challenge with a colleague or friend. Get started here.
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How are you doing in the challenge?
As nurses, we should work together to keep the workplace safe, respectful, and supportive for both staff and patients
Safety is the top most priority for better outcome of our work.
we all nurses can stand together to create safer, more respectful workplaces for every nurse.
I try my level best to maintain safety at all times. I work at correctional health.
I work in Psych unit, and it can be scary sometimes but I make sure I maintain safety at all time when am at work.
@Ayedun Adedoyin This challenge just wrapped up, but if you want to see the info - here's the link to Day 1. You should be able to click through the rest of the days from there!
Day 1 - Stand Up for Safety
Years ago I was kicked in the face by a patient I believe there is more education and communication now
Monitoring for potential flags before they escalate Calling Code White team for backup Signs on entrance doors with notices that aggressive and disrespectful behaviors will not be tolerated Our environment should be one of healing not harm
Deb Stuart RN OR
Am excited for this challenge because I have encountered workplace violence more than one time. To prevent this, I came up with a different approach when dealing with an issue with a peer. Mostly I will report to management immediately and provide any documentation that have.
@Judith. M it's so important to not let it continue or it becomes a standard. Good job!