Overview

Workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, and other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs in the workplace. Workplace violence can happen at any job in any field, but tends to occur in caregiving and service sectors. Anyone can be at risk of experiencing workplace violence. You may be more at risk if you notice unstable culture or coworkers around you.

Violence in Nursing 

According to the American Nursing Association (ANA):

• 1 in 4 nurses have been assaulted.
• Only 20-60% of incidents are reported.
• 13% of missed workdays are because of workplace violence. 

There are different forms of unhealthy working environments.

• Incivility is “one or more rude, discourteous, or disrespectful actions that may or may not have a negative intent behind them”.
• ANA defines bullying as “repeated, unwanted, harmful actions intended to humiliate, offend, and cause distress in the recipient.”
• Workplace Violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or other threatening, disruptive behavior from patients, patient's family members, external individuals, and hospital personnel. It includes physical, sexual, and psychological assaults.

Any acts of aggression, from patients or coworkers, is unacceptable. These acts can have serious effects on your mental health and overall wellbeing. See more here: ANA Infographic Download ANA Infographic. 

Protecting Yourself

Report any acts of incivility, bullying, or workplace violence to your hospital manager and hospital human resources (HR). If you are unsure how to appropriately report the instance, Interstaff can walk you through the process at support@interstaffinc.com. The ANA also created a Workplace Violence Against Nurses: What You Can Do webinar series Links to an external site.that educates nurses on their rights and ways to report workplace violence. 

References:

ANA: https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/end-nurse-abuse

OSHA: https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence#:~:text=Workplace%20violence%20is%20any%20act,%2C%20clients%2C%20customers%20and%20visitorsLinks to an external site..