GITNUXREPORT 2025

Violence Against Nurses Statistics

Nurses face high violence risk impacting safety, mental health, and retention worldwide.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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The economic cost of violence against nurses exceeds $2 billion annually in the US alone, including medical and legal expenses

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The prevalence of violence is higher in developing countries, with some regions reporting rates above 70%

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Hospitals in urban areas report twice the instances of violence compared to rural hospitals, due to higher patient volumes and complexity

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1 in 4 nurses have reported incidents of sexual harassment in the workplace

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60% of nurses report feeling unsafe working alone in high-risk units

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36% of nurses report that workplace violence has negatively impacted their mental health

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Nurses report high levels of burnout linked to experiences of violence, with 52% citing it as a contributing factor

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In a recent survey, 40% of nurses feared for their safety at work regularly

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63% of nurses report feeling anxious or fearful during their shifts due to violence risks

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Violence causes an average of 7 days of work missed per nurse annually

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42% of emergency nurses have considered leaving their position due to violence concerns

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54% of nurses report that violence has led to increased use of restraints and seclusion, impacting patient care

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22% of nurses report that violence has negatively affected their personal relationships

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50% of nurses have changed their shift patterns or work locations to avoid violence-prone areas

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Risk factors for violence include overcrowding, long wait times, and insufficient security presence, according to a 2023 study

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38% of nurses have been injured during violent incidents, ranging from minor to severe injuries

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Workplace violence against nurses is associated with increased incidences of PTSD, with 30% of affected nurses experiencing symptoms

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Over 80% of nurses report feeling less safe after violent incidents, and many change behaviors for self-protection

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Violence exposure influences nurses' decisions to leave bedside care, with 35% citing safety concerns

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47% of nurses believe that better security staff management could significantly reduce violence incidents

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Violence-related injuries among nurses often require hospitalization and follow-up treatment, impacting staffing and resources

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Surveys indicate that violence often leads to decreased job satisfaction, with 40% of nurses reporting this decrease after violent events

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Only 25% of violence incidents are formally reported to hospital authorities

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90% of healthcare organizations have implemented security measures, but only 50% feel these measures are effective

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28% of hospitals have no formal policy for addressing workplace violence against nurses

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85% of nurses believe workplace violence is underreported, leading to insufficient preventative measures

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70% of nurses do not report incidents of violence due to fear of retaliation or belief that reporting will be ineffective

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There has been a 25% increase in reporting of violence incidents since the implementation of new policies in 2022, indicating increased awareness

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Nearly 66% of nurses have reported experiencing workplace violence at some point in their careers

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About 32% of nurses experience verbal abuse from patients or visitors annually

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25% of nurses report physical assault incidents in a single year

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48% of nurses have been threatened or assaulted while working in emergency departments

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Over 70% of nurses in some regions report witnessing violence against colleagues

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Nurses working night shifts are 45% more likely to experience violence compared to day shifts

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The average duration of violence incidents against nurses is 15 minutes

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Nurses in mental health settings experience violence at a rate of 55% annually

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Among emergency nurses, 80% have been physically assaulted or threatened

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Violence against nurses accounts for approximately 25% of all workplace assaults in healthcare settings

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Nurses aged 30-40 are most frequently attacked, representing 45% of violence incidents

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35% of nurses report violence comes from aggressive patients, 20% from visitors, and 45% from coworkers or management

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Healthcare workers, including nurses, are 4 times more likely to experience workplace violence than other sectors

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Only 10% of incidents involving physical violence are investigated thoroughly, according to hospital staff reports

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65% of nurses working in psychiatric units have been assaulted at least once

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Medical NGOs report that violence against nurses increased by 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to heightened tensions

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Nearly 60% of nurses in rural hospitals have experienced violence, often due to resource shortages and high patient loads

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55% of mental health nurses experience intimidation or threats from patients annually

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In a global survey, 45% of nurses reported experiencing physical violence at least once during their career

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Nursing students are also at risk, with 20% experiencing violence during clinical rotations

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55% of nurses working in outpatient clinics have experienced violent behavior from patients or visitors, especially during pandemic peaks

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Key Highlights

Nearly 66% of nurses have reported experiencing workplace violence at some point in their careers
About 32% of nurses experience verbal abuse from patients or visitors annually
25% of nurses report physical assault incidents in a single year
48% of nurses have been threatened or assaulted while working in emergency departments
Over 70% of nurses in some regions report witnessing violence against colleagues
Nurses working night shifts are 45% more likely to experience violence compared to day shifts
1 in 4 nurses have reported incidents of sexual harassment in the workplace
60% of nurses report feeling unsafe working alone in high-risk units
The average duration of violence incidents against nurses is 15 minutes
Nurses in mental health settings experience violence at a rate of 55% annually
Among emergency nurses, 80% have been physically assaulted or threatened
36% of nurses report that workplace violence has negatively impacted their mental health
Only 25% of violence incidents are formally reported to hospital authorities

Amidst a rising tide of violence in healthcare settings, nurses—our frontline defenders—face alarming risks, with nearly two-thirds experiencing workplace violence, highlighting an urgent need for systemic change to protect those who care for us all.

Consequences and Costs of Violence

The economic cost of violence against nurses exceeds $2 billion annually in the US alone, including medical and legal expenses

Consequences and Costs of Violence Interpretation

The staggering $2 billion annual toll of violence against nurses not only threatens patient care but also reveals a costly failure of our healthcare system’s safety net, demanding urgent action before the damage extends beyond budgets to lives.

Demographic and Regional Variations

The prevalence of violence is higher in developing countries, with some regions reporting rates above 70%
Hospitals in urban areas report twice the instances of violence compared to rural hospitals, due to higher patient volumes and complexity

Demographic and Regional Variations Interpretation

The stark disparity in violence against nurses—dominated by higher rates in developing nations and urban hospitals—underscores a pressing need for global and local reforms to protect these frontline heroes amid mounting pressures.

Impact on Nurses’ Well-being and Safety

1 in 4 nurses have reported incidents of sexual harassment in the workplace
60% of nurses report feeling unsafe working alone in high-risk units
36% of nurses report that workplace violence has negatively impacted their mental health
Nurses report high levels of burnout linked to experiences of violence, with 52% citing it as a contributing factor
In a recent survey, 40% of nurses feared for their safety at work regularly
63% of nurses report feeling anxious or fearful during their shifts due to violence risks
Violence causes an average of 7 days of work missed per nurse annually
42% of emergency nurses have considered leaving their position due to violence concerns
54% of nurses report that violence has led to increased use of restraints and seclusion, impacting patient care
22% of nurses report that violence has negatively affected their personal relationships
50% of nurses have changed their shift patterns or work locations to avoid violence-prone areas
Risk factors for violence include overcrowding, long wait times, and insufficient security presence, according to a 2023 study
38% of nurses have been injured during violent incidents, ranging from minor to severe injuries
Workplace violence against nurses is associated with increased incidences of PTSD, with 30% of affected nurses experiencing symptoms
Over 80% of nurses report feeling less safe after violent incidents, and many change behaviors for self-protection
Violence exposure influences nurses' decisions to leave bedside care, with 35% citing safety concerns
47% of nurses believe that better security staff management could significantly reduce violence incidents
Violence-related injuries among nurses often require hospitalization and follow-up treatment, impacting staffing and resources
Surveys indicate that violence often leads to decreased job satisfaction, with 40% of nurses reporting this decrease after violent events

Impact on Nurses’ Well-being and Safety Interpretation

With nearly half of nurses feeling unsafe, injured, or contemplating leaving their bedside, it's clear that workplace violence isn't just jeopardizing their well-being but also tearing at the fabric of quality healthcare.

Reporting, Policies, and Response Measures

Only 25% of violence incidents are formally reported to hospital authorities
90% of healthcare organizations have implemented security measures, but only 50% feel these measures are effective
28% of hospitals have no formal policy for addressing workplace violence against nurses
85% of nurses believe workplace violence is underreported, leading to insufficient preventative measures
70% of nurses do not report incidents of violence due to fear of retaliation or belief that reporting will be ineffective
There has been a 25% increase in reporting of violence incidents since the implementation of new policies in 2022, indicating increased awareness

Reporting, Policies, and Response Measures Interpretation

Despite a rising 25% in reported incidents post-2022 policy updates, the stark reality remains that with only a quarter of violence cases formally logged, half of hospitals doubting their security measures, and nearly a third lacking formal policies, nurses continue to face an underreported and underprotected epidemic of workplace violence that demands urgent, comprehensive action.

Workplace Violence Incidents and Patterns

Nearly 66% of nurses have reported experiencing workplace violence at some point in their careers
About 32% of nurses experience verbal abuse from patients or visitors annually
25% of nurses report physical assault incidents in a single year
48% of nurses have been threatened or assaulted while working in emergency departments
Over 70% of nurses in some regions report witnessing violence against colleagues
Nurses working night shifts are 45% more likely to experience violence compared to day shifts
The average duration of violence incidents against nurses is 15 minutes
Nurses in mental health settings experience violence at a rate of 55% annually
Among emergency nurses, 80% have been physically assaulted or threatened
Violence against nurses accounts for approximately 25% of all workplace assaults in healthcare settings
Nurses aged 30-40 are most frequently attacked, representing 45% of violence incidents
35% of nurses report violence comes from aggressive patients, 20% from visitors, and 45% from coworkers or management
Healthcare workers, including nurses, are 4 times more likely to experience workplace violence than other sectors
Only 10% of incidents involving physical violence are investigated thoroughly, according to hospital staff reports
65% of nurses working in psychiatric units have been assaulted at least once
Medical NGOs report that violence against nurses increased by 30% during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to heightened tensions
Nearly 60% of nurses in rural hospitals have experienced violence, often due to resource shortages and high patient loads
55% of mental health nurses experience intimidation or threats from patients annually
In a global survey, 45% of nurses reported experiencing physical violence at least once during their career
Nursing students are also at risk, with 20% experiencing violence during clinical rotations
55% of nurses working in outpatient clinics have experienced violent behavior from patients or visitors, especially during pandemic peaks

Workplace Violence Incidents and Patterns Interpretation

With nearly two-thirds of nurses facing violence in their careers—ranging from verbal tirades to physical assaults—it's clear that frontline healthcare workers not only battle illness and exhaustion but also a persistent epidemic of violence that threatens their safety and the very fabric of compassionate care.