GITNUXREPORT 2025

Nursing Workplace Violence Statistics

Nursing workplace violence affects up to 75%, causing injury, trauma, and costs.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Workplace violence leads to approximately 10,000 injuries among healthcare workers each year

Statistic 2

Workplace violence costs hospitals an estimated $2 billion annually in legal, medical, and productivity expenses

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Workplace violence results in increased staff turnover and burnout among nurses

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Workplace violence is associated with increased use of sick leave among nurses, leading to staffing shortages

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Healthcare workers report that inadequate security measures contribute significantly to incidents

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45% of nurses experiencing violence report having to self-manage their trauma without adequate support

Statistic 7

Training programs focused on conflict resolution reduce violent incidents by approximately 30%

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Up to 75% of nurses experience workplace violence at some point in their careers

Statistic 9

Nurses are three times more likely than physicians to be victims of workplace violence

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Over 25% of emergency department nurses report physical violence annually

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77% of nurses have experienced verbal abuse at work

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Nearly 50% of nurses report feeling unsafe at work because of violence

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The rate of workplace violence incidents in psychiatric settings is twice as high as in general hospitals

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About 1 in 4 nurses report experiencing physical assault during their career

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60% of healthcare workers who experienced workplace violence did not report it to management

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31% of nurses reported being assaulted physically or verbally in the past year

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Nurses working night shifts report higher incidences of workplace violence than day shift workers

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The prevalence of workplace violence in health care is higher than in other industries, with rates up to 4 times higher

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Only 40% of healthcare facilities have formal policies to address workplace violence

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Up to 60% of nurses working in emergency departments experience some form of violence annually

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Approximately 60% of assaults against nurses are committed by patients or visitors

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Nearly 80% of hospital staff have witnessed or experienced workplace violence

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Workplace violence incidents tend to increase during economic downturns, according to studies

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Around 65% of nurses report fear of violent incidents when working in high-risk units

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Between 2011 and 2020, there was a 25% increase in reported workplace violence cases in healthcare

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The most common weapons used in hospital violence include fists, feet, and objects like chairs or bottles

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35% of nurses have been assaulted at some point in their careers, according to recent surveys

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65% of healthcare professionals believe that workplace violence is underreported

Statistic 29

Nearly 60% of hospital nurses who face violence do not report it due to fear of retaliation

Statistic 30

Violence from patients or visitors accounts for the majority of incidents, approximately 70%

Statistic 31

More than 80% of violent incidents occur in hospitals rather than outpatient clinics

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About 55% of nurses have been threatened with bodily harm at work

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Nurses working in urban hospitals report higher violence rates than those in rural hospitals

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80% of nurses have reported feeling unsafe at least once during their shifts

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Over 90% of hospitals lack comprehensive policies specifically addressing workplace violence

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Implementation of violence prevention programs in hospitals has decreased incidents by up to 50%

Statistic 37

The median time from incident to reporting is approximately 24 hours, indicating delayed response in many cases

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Around 70% of nurses who experienced violence reported emotional trauma afterward

Statistic 39

Workplace violence leads to significant psychological consequences, including anxiety and depression, in over 40% of affected nurses

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Workplace violence costs hospitals in the U.S. an estimated $2.7 billion annually due to workers’ compensation claims and legal fees

Statistic 41

Female nurses are twice as likely as male nurses to experience workplace violence

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Healthcare workers with less than 5 years of experience are more likely to encounter violence

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Patient mental health issues are a significant factor in increased violence, especially in psychiatric care settings

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Incidents of violence tend to peak during shift changes, particularly around shift start and end times

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Healthcare workers have a 7-fold higher risk of injury from violence outside of hospital premises, such as in parking lots or transport areas

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Key Highlights

Up to 75% of nurses experience workplace violence at some point in their careers
Nurses are three times more likely than physicians to be victims of workplace violence
Over 25% of emergency department nurses report physical violence annually
Workplace violence leads to approximately 10,000 injuries among healthcare workers each year
77% of nurses have experienced verbal abuse at work
Nearly 50% of nurses report feeling unsafe at work because of violence
The rate of workplace violence incidents in psychiatric settings is twice as high as in general hospitals
About 1 in 4 nurses report experiencing physical assault during their career
60% of healthcare workers who experienced workplace violence did not report it to management
31% of nurses reported being assaulted physically or verbally in the past year
Workplace violence costs hospitals an estimated $2 billion annually in legal, medical, and productivity expenses
Nurses working night shifts report higher incidences of workplace violence than day shift workers
Around 70% of nurses who experienced violence reported emotional trauma afterward

Did you know that up to 75% of nurses experience workplace violence during their careers—an alarming figure that underscores the urgent need to address a crisis that’s costing hospitals billions, endangering staff, and impacting patient care?

Impact on Healthcare Staff and Organizations

Workplace violence leads to approximately 10,000 injuries among healthcare workers each year
Workplace violence costs hospitals an estimated $2 billion annually in legal, medical, and productivity expenses
Workplace violence results in increased staff turnover and burnout among nurses
Workplace violence is associated with increased use of sick leave among nurses, leading to staffing shortages
Healthcare workers report that inadequate security measures contribute significantly to incidents
45% of nurses experiencing violence report having to self-manage their trauma without adequate support
Training programs focused on conflict resolution reduce violent incidents by approximately 30%

Impact on Healthcare Staff and Organizations Interpretation

Despite its staggering toll of 10,000 injuries and $2 billion annual cost, workplace violence in healthcare persists—highlighting urgent needs for better security, comprehensive support, and effective conflict resolution training to curb nurse burnout and ensure safer care environments.

Prevalence and Incidence of Workplace Violence

Up to 75% of nurses experience workplace violence at some point in their careers
Nurses are three times more likely than physicians to be victims of workplace violence
Over 25% of emergency department nurses report physical violence annually
77% of nurses have experienced verbal abuse at work
Nearly 50% of nurses report feeling unsafe at work because of violence
The rate of workplace violence incidents in psychiatric settings is twice as high as in general hospitals
About 1 in 4 nurses report experiencing physical assault during their career
60% of healthcare workers who experienced workplace violence did not report it to management
31% of nurses reported being assaulted physically or verbally in the past year
Nurses working night shifts report higher incidences of workplace violence than day shift workers
The prevalence of workplace violence in health care is higher than in other industries, with rates up to 4 times higher
Only 40% of healthcare facilities have formal policies to address workplace violence
Up to 60% of nurses working in emergency departments experience some form of violence annually
Approximately 60% of assaults against nurses are committed by patients or visitors
Nearly 80% of hospital staff have witnessed or experienced workplace violence
Workplace violence incidents tend to increase during economic downturns, according to studies
Around 65% of nurses report fear of violent incidents when working in high-risk units
Between 2011 and 2020, there was a 25% increase in reported workplace violence cases in healthcare
The most common weapons used in hospital violence include fists, feet, and objects like chairs or bottles
35% of nurses have been assaulted at some point in their careers, according to recent surveys
65% of healthcare professionals believe that workplace violence is underreported
Nearly 60% of hospital nurses who face violence do not report it due to fear of retaliation
Violence from patients or visitors accounts for the majority of incidents, approximately 70%
More than 80% of violent incidents occur in hospitals rather than outpatient clinics
About 55% of nurses have been threatened with bodily harm at work
Nurses working in urban hospitals report higher violence rates than those in rural hospitals
80% of nurses have reported feeling unsafe at least once during their shifts
Over 90% of hospitals lack comprehensive policies specifically addressing workplace violence

Prevalence and Incidence of Workplace Violence Interpretation

Despite being on the frontlines of care, nearly four out of five nurses feel unsafe due to workplace violence, which—yet again—remains vastly underreported and insufficiently addressed in over 90% of hospitals, highlighting an urgent need for systemic change in protecting those who protect us.

Prevention, Reporting, and Policy Measures

Implementation of violence prevention programs in hospitals has decreased incidents by up to 50%
The median time from incident to reporting is approximately 24 hours, indicating delayed response in many cases

Prevention, Reporting, and Policy Measures Interpretation

While implementing violence prevention programs can slash incidents by half, the median 24-hour delay in reporting underscores the urgent need for hospitals to streamline their response times and foster a culture of immediate safety action.

Psychological and Economic Consequences

Around 70% of nurses who experienced violence reported emotional trauma afterward
Workplace violence leads to significant psychological consequences, including anxiety and depression, in over 40% of affected nurses
Workplace violence costs hospitals in the U.S. an estimated $2.7 billion annually due to workers’ compensation claims and legal fees

Psychological and Economic Consequences Interpretation

These staggering statistics reveal that workplace violence not only leaves over 70% of nurses emotionally scarred but also financially devastates hospitals, costing billions annually—highlighting the urgent need for safer, more supportive healthcare environments.

Risk Factors and Demographic Variations

Female nurses are twice as likely as male nurses to experience workplace violence
Healthcare workers with less than 5 years of experience are more likely to encounter violence
Patient mental health issues are a significant factor in increased violence, especially in psychiatric care settings
Incidents of violence tend to peak during shift changes, particularly around shift start and end times
Healthcare workers have a 7-fold higher risk of injury from violence outside of hospital premises, such as in parking lots or transport areas

Risk Factors and Demographic Variations Interpretation

These statistics reveal that while female and less experienced nurses face heightened risks of workplace violence—particularly during shift transitions and in psychiatric settings—the alarming escalation of injury risks outside hospital walls underscores the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures both on and off the clock.