Critical Care: Protecting and Retaining Nurses

In healthcare settings, the role of nurses is invaluable. They are often on the front lines, delivering care, providing emotional support and ensuring patient well-being. Unfortunately, growing societal violence is putting disproportionately large amounts of pressure on the healthcare system, and nurses in particular, experience some of the highest rates of injury and workplace violence compared to other professions. I saw this firsthand in my role as Executive Director of Public Safety for Mercy Healthcare and 25 years as a police officer in Missouri.

A nationwide survey conducted by National Nurses United (NNU), the nation’s largest union and professional association of registered nurses, found that the majority of nurses have experienced workplace violence and nearly half have seen a rise in rates in the past year. And a 2022 survey conducted by the American Nurses Foundation found that 75% of nurses reported feeling stressed, frustrated or exhausted, while 52% reported considering leaving their position all together. According to the NNU survey, healthcare employers’ failure to implement effective prevention strategies is exacerbating the staffing crisis: 6 in 10 RNs report having changed or left their job or profession or considered leaving their job due to workplace violence.

I have seen first-hand what fear, anger, mental health disorders and substance abuse can bring to the healthcare environment. A layered security approach aims to help make sure that people at risk of violent behavior do not have weapons of mass casualty within easy access during stressful times. Failure at these critical times can have devastating effects.

Nurses are demanding safer working environments. Safety and security are critical factors in retaining and recruiting qualified professionals. We rely on our healthcare professionals to provide exceptional healthcare, and we need to do our best to provide an exceptional environment for that delivery.

If nothing changes to support our healthcare workers in making them feel safe and know their leaders are investing in their wellbeing, the United States will be 1,000,000 nurses short by 2026. OSHA and CMS demand hospitals find solutions that impact workplace violence now.

Nurse safety is not just about preventing violence or accidents, it’s about helping to create an environment where healthcare professionals can perform their duties without fear. When nurses know their safety is being prioritized, they can focus on what they do best – providing exceptional care to patients.