Workplace Violence in Healthcare

Sadly, workplace violence among healthcare workers is consistently unreported and not acted on when reported (Phillips, 2016). The Joint Commission’s Sentinel Events warned healthcare systems of the steadily growing rate of crime and assaults against healthcare workers, especially nurses. Culture and reporting processes are two main obstacles reported by healthcare workers as factors that diminish workplace violence (ANA, 2019). Education and legislation are key components to reduce workplace violence. Education must be a collaboration between the bedside nurse and administration; legislation must include language that truly protects nurses while on duty. Nurses represent 80% of healthcare workers.