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Healthcare personnel are more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in other industries. Incidents of verbal abuse, physical assaults and shootings are at a level that requires focused attention. AACN asserts that healthcare institutions should apply evidence-based practices to help ensure the safety and security of staff, patients and visitors. Protection plans are essential to recognize the potential for and prevent violence. In addition, all healthcare teams must be encouraged to report any violence they witness or experience.
AACN Position Statement: Preventing Violence Against Healthcare Workers
AACN calls upon healthcare institutions to have clear and widely circulated policies and procedures regarding both the violence that occurs within the daily functioning of the hospital and the threat from outside incursions.
2025
NCC Thanks Representatives for Introducing the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act
Fifty-four members of NCC, including AACN, signed onto a letter thanking Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-02) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) for introducing the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (H.R.2531/S.1232).
June 2025
Prompt Support for Healthcare Workers Who Are Victims of Violence
Forensic nursing is leading the way to bring unique and innovative approaches to decrease risk of staff in violence in healthcare facilities while providing quality care for patients.
May 2025
RNAction
Support the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act by contacting Congress.
May 2025
My Experience with Workplace Violence in Nursing: A Call to Action
A nurse who experienced violence in a healthcare facility while treating a patient recounts her experience, the response to her experience, how nurses can advocate for themselves, and what to do if the situation arises.
Mar. 2025
Protecting Nurses: The Fight Against Workplace Violence
A nurse manager who has become an expert in how to manage and mitigate the risk of violence in healthcare organizations shares her story.
Jan. 2025
2024
Addressing Workplace Violence in Healthcare
A nurse who has experienced violence while working in trauma centers outlines strategies for mitigating risk of violence in clinical settings while still delivering quality care for patients.
Dec. 2024
Workplace Violence: An Uncomfortable, Yet Important Topic
Violence in healthcare organizations has been happening for quite some time, but the awareness of these acts, how to respond to them, and decrease their occurence, has changed over time.
Dec. 2024
Mitigating Workplace Violence: An Evidence-Based Approach
This session from NTI 2025 explores how to decrease instances and risk of workplace violence. CE credits available.
Dec. 2024
Preventing Workplace Violence in Health Care
Read the proceedings from AONL Foundation’s 2024 Leadership Symposium, where AACN Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Vicki Good was among the panelists.
Dec. 2024
Protect Yourself: Prepare For and Prevent Workplace Violence
This webinar outlines how nurses can prepare for and prevent violence in clinical settings. CE credits available.
Nov. 2024
Protecting our Caregivers: Comprehensive Strategies for Eliminating Workplace Violence
The American Academy of Nursing gathered experts to discuss how the nursing profession can advance policies to protect providers.
Mar. 2024
2022
Urges Passage of Workplace Violence Prevention Legislation
AACN and 57 other members of NCC signed onto a letter urging the passage of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (S.4182). This request comes as the House passed a related bill last year.
Nov. 2022
Violence Against Healthcare Professionals — When Will It Stop?
A look at how violence in healthcare settings has increased since the pandemic, how nurses can protect themselves and employers provide adequate safety measures, and how the nursing profession can advocate for their nurses.
Nov. 2022
Supports Legislation to Address Workplace Violence
Fifty-three members of NCC, including AACN, signed onto a letter to Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and original Senate cosponsors, supporting introduction of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (S.4182) in the Senate and strongly urging passage of this important legislation this Congress.
June 2022