Nurses willingly step forward to help strangers each day with one purpose—to alleviate suffering. It’s one reason why nursing can be so rewarding and why nursing is ranked as the most trusted profession year after year.
But increasingly, those care-giving encounters with patients and their families are turning violent. Healthcare workers are five times as likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than workers overall, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic.
Healthcare workers account for 73% of nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses from workplace violence. The definition of violence in the workplace covers, which is defined as a range of behaviors, including acts or threats of physical violence, intimidation, harassment, or other threatening behavior.
While these numbers are alarming, another U.S. study indicated that 88% of incidents are not recorded, confirming the numbers are severely underreported.
Healthcare employers have yet to adjust to the increase in violence in their workplaces. The 2024 nurses survey revealed only 62.8% of nurses thought their employers provided training to prevent workplace violence, and only 31.7% reported their employers had a clear way for nurses to report violence.
As employers develop resources to prevent workplace violence and support nurses who experience it, we have compiled a list of some of the resources available to nurses. Many state and local agencies and nursing associations also provide additional resources.
Know a resource that should be added to this list? Please submit the information, including a link, to nursingsafety@tiptonhealth.com and we will add it to this list.
Nurse Leader Resources
Supporting Your Nursing Team Through Trauma
Tipton Health’s Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Mary Del Guidice shares insights on how nurse leaders can connect with their nurses to show their love after such an event.
Providing Trauma Support to Your Workforce Following an Incident or Threat of Violence
The American Hospital Association’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative includes resources for leaders to support their nurses and healthcare workers after a traumatic incident.
National Workplace Violence and Mental Health Hotlines
National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-HOPE: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) created and operates this hotline in partnership with local providers across the country. They also provide programs to prevent sexual violence and help survivors.
206-459-3020: 24-hour crisis referral service founded on the idea that medical and emergency personnel shouldn’t face crises alone. They provide a confidential way to ask for help when you are experiencing a crisis.
Text, Chat, WhatsApp: They provide free and confidential support 24/7 from a volunteer crisis counselor. You can Text HOME to 741741 or use the website to connect using chat or WhatsApp.
988: Suicide and crisis lifeline provides support when the consequences of a trauma-related event lead to mental health challenges and crisis issues, including depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.
Workplace Violence Resources
The American Hospital Association’s initiative shares examples and best practices about workplace violence, improving public awareness, developing tools and resources, and advocacy efforts. They provide issue briefs dealing with violence mitigation, lowering the risk of violence, and providing trauma support.
Prioritizing Healthcare Workers
CDC provides resources for managers and nurses to address workplace violence, including reports on the number of nurses reporting violence, the impact it has on patient safety, risk factors, and steps employers can take to reduce the risk of workplace violence.
This nonprofit organization provides trauma-related services to medical personnel, veterans, and first responders. The first six sessions are free with an experienced team of licensed mental health professionals in most states.
Online Workplace Violence Prevention Course for Nurses
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) publishes this free, interactive course to help nurses understand the nature of workplace violence. The course includes continuing education units.
Mental Health Applications
They provide access to mental health professionals and customized plans, with text, audio, or video options. Plans include synchronous or asynchronous communication but do not meet the requirements for employment, disability, or legal documentation.
This meditation and relaxation app helps you manage stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders using strategies to help you to fall asleep and stay asleep, improving your mental and emotional resilience.
This app provides flexible mental health support fitting your schedule, including 1-on-1 virtual therapy and coaching or on-demand self-care. The app provides step-by-step guidance on building emotional resilience, including guided meditation, mood tracking, and goal setting.
Designed by the Veterans Administration for veterans with symptoms of PTSD, the app is not a replacement for therapy but can be used to support your customized therapy. Help is available in English and Spanish.
RESOURCES
DiStefano, S. Nursing Named Most Trusted Profession for 23rd Consecutive Year. (2025). Johns Hopkins Nursing.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2018). Fact Sheet | Workplace Violence in Healthcare, 2018 | April 2020. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/iif/factsheets/workplace-violence-healthcare-2018.htm
Arnetz, J., Hamblin, L., et. al. (2015). Underreporting of Workplace Violence. Workplace Health Safety. 63(5),200-210. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5006066/