Nurses Face Rising Workplace Violence, Majority Report Incidents in 2025

Nearly 85 percent of nurses have experienced at least one type of workplace violence, with more than one-third seeing an increase in the past year

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, healthcare workers have faced a significant rise in workplace violence across the nation. According to a recent survey by National Nurses United (NNU), which is the largest union and professional association for registered nurses in the U.S., a vast majority of nurses have encountered workplace violence, with almost one-third observing an uptick in such incidents over the past year.

The NNU's report, The State of Workplace Violence in Health Care in 2025-2026, issued today, offers insights from a survey involving 1,267 registered nurses (RNs) spanning 28 states and D.C., collected between July 2025 and May 2026. The findings underscore that workplace violence remains a critical issue affecting nurses and patients, highlighting an urgent call for measures to safeguard healthcare workers and those under their care.

Key Findings on Workplace Violence

• 84.8% of nurses reported experiencing at least one form of workplace violence within the past year.
• 36.4% of RNs noted an increase in workplace violence in their units during the previous year, while only 6.8% observed a decrease.
• 70.3% of nurses faced verbal threats over the past year.
• For comprehensive statistics and sources, access the full report here.

The Role of Staffing in Violence Prevention

Approximately 35.5% of nurses reported having staff available at all times to respond to violent incidents, and fewer than 29% mentioned additional staff being deployed to mitigate violence risks. Research referenced in the NNU’s 2024 workplace violence prevention fact sheet indicates a higher likelihood of violence when staffing levels are inadequate. Nurses participating in NNU’s surveys frequently pointed out the connection between short staffing and increased violence risk.

Challenges in Implementing Prevention Measures

Despite the threats, many healthcare employers have not adopted essential violence prevention strategies. Only 40.2% of facilities use systems like chart or room-flagging to identify at-risk patients, and just 17.0% utilize metal detectors at entry points. Furthermore, only 18.2% of nurses are involved in violence risk assessments, a critical component for effective prevention plans. About 38.4% of nurses have a clear reporting channel for incidents at their workplace.

Advocating for Comprehensive Legislation

The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act (S. 1232/H.R. 2531) aims to protect healthcare workers and patients by requiring federal OSHA to establish a standard for violence prevention. This legislation mandates that employers in healthcare and social services implement comprehensive violence prevention plans.

To explore the complete report, including detailed statistics and resources, visit here.

National Nurses United, with more than 225,000 members nationwide, represents the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States. Affiliates include the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.

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