ANA-Illinois

Workplace violence (WPV) is an increasingly serious issue within healthcare and is something that nurses face all too often. As frontline care givers, nurses can be forced to deal with alarming rates of physical, emotional, and psychological harm which not only threatens their well-being,  but also compromise patient safety. 

ANA-Illinois recognizes this growing issue and has been actively advocating for legislative action, comprehensive workplace safety initiatives. ANA-Illinois is proud to make a commitment to fostering a culture of respect and security. Addressing workplace violence is imperative—not only to protect nurses, but to ensure the best possible care for patients as well.

Understanding Workplace Violence in Nursing

Workplace violence, as defined by ANA-Illinois and the American Nurses Association, encompasses any act or threat—intentional or not—of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or disruptive behavior. This can occur from care recipients, students, family members, colleagues, or outside individuals.

There are four primary types of workplace violence:

  • Type I: Criminal Intent: Violence by individuals with no relationship to the healthcare facility.

  • Type II: Patient/Client/Customer: Violence from someone receiving services.

  • Type III: Worker-on-Worker: Violence between employees or colleagues.

  • Type IV: Personal Relationships: Violence from personal acquaintances unrelated directly to the business.

Despite its severity, workplace violence remains significantly underreported due to several factors. Many nurses mistakenly perceive violence as “part of the job,” while employers often hesitate to acknowledge the scope of the issue.

Impact of Workplace Violence on Nurses and Healthcare

The consequences of workplace violence extend far beyond the immediate event. Nurses subjected to WPV often suffer from severe physical and emotional trauma, including burnout, depression, PTSD, sleep disorders, and fatigue. These conditions not only affect nurses’ health but also compromise patient safety and quality of care.

According to the ANA Position Statement on Workplace Violence, “A joint survey conducted in May 2023 by the American Nurses Foundation and McKinsey found that 41% of nurses providing direct care to patients intended to leave their current positions and 30% of nurses in direct patient roles also intended to leave (bedside nursing).” These numbers reflect the growing problem of systemic understaffing in healthcare that can be caused by workplace violence. 

Not only is WPV an issue in professional clinical settings, it has also become a topic of conversation for student nurses. Student nurses have had to face the same violence as professional nurses and as a result, they decide to leave the nursing profession entirely. 

Workplace violence also imposes a heavy burden on healthcare institutions financially. The U.S. The Department of Labor estimates costs of up to $151 billion annually due to lost productivity, medical treatments, legal expenses, and staff turnover from WPV.

ANA-Illinois’ Stance on Workplace Violence

ANA-Illinois firmly advocates for a zero-tolerance stance against workplace violence. The official Statement of ANA Position reads as: 

“ANA’s Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements details that nurses are required to “create an ethical environment and culture of civility and kindness, treating colleagues, coworkers, employees, students, and others with dignity and respect” (ANA, 2025). Thus, the nursing profession will not tolerate violence of any kind, including physical, verbal, or sexual from any source. 

“All nurses and employers in all settings, including practice, academia, and research, must collaborate to create a culture of respect. The best evidence-based practices must be implemented to prevent and mitigate workplace violence; to promote the health, safety, and wellness of nurses; and to ensure optimal outcomes across the health care continuum. 

“This position statement, although written specifically for nurses and employers, is also relevant to other health care professionals and decision makers who collaborate to create and sustain a safe and healthy interprofessional work environment.”

ANA-Illinois is dedicated to not only advocating for change in WPV policy, but also to helping employers and employees create a culture of safety for both nurses and patients. 

Responsibilities in Mitigating Workplace Violence

Recommendations for Nurses:

  • Building Healthy Interprofessional Relationships: Nurses should foster strong, respectful relationships across their teams to minimize misunderstandings and conflicts.

  • Training and Preparedness: Participation in conflict resolution and violence prevention training equips nurses with essential skills for early intervention and effective management.

  • Immediate Reporting: Encouraging nurses to promptly report all incidents and utilize environmental controls, such as panic buttons and security personnel.

  • Post-Incident Support: Accessing resources like counseling services, employee assistance programs, and peer support systems.

Recommendations for Employers:

  • Comprehensive Violence Prevention Programs: Establish committees and conduct regular worksite analyses to identify and mitigate risks.

  • Engineering and Administrative Controls: Implementing physical safety measures, clear policies, and administrative procedures to ensure swift responses to violence.

  • Education and Training: Customized programs tailored to workplace needs, including regular mock drills and crisis scenario management.

  • Organizational Culture: Promote an environment of respect and safety through clear reporting procedures, adequate staffing, and continuous support systems.

Standing United Against Workplace Violence

Workplace violence is not an inevitable part of nursing—it is a crisis that demands urgent and sustained action. Nurses deserve to work in environments where their safety, dignity, and well-being are upheld. The prevalence of violence not only threatens the personal and professional lives of nurses but also undermines the integrity of patient care and the overall effectiveness of the healthcare system. 

Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, ANA-Illinois continues to lead the charge in transforming healthcare workplaces into spaces of security and respect. By fostering a collective commitment among nurses, employers, and policymakers, we can dismantle the culture of silence surrounding workplace violence and replace it with one that prioritizes prevention, accountability, and healing. Together, we can ensure that every nurse, whether seasoned or just beginning their career, is empowered to thrive in a safe and supportive environment.

Join ANA-Illinois today and become part of a community that fights for you.