OJIN The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing · 2013 · 41 citations · 0 references
Public HealthHealth AdministrationOccupational Health NursingAdvocacyOccupational HealthViolence PreventionOccupational Health PolicyOccupational SafetyViolenceViolence ManagementWorkplace SafetyWorkplace Violence PreventionJury AwardsOccupational Health AdvocacyOccupational Safety AdvocacyPersonal Safety EducationWorkplace Violence Prevention PoliciesWorkplace Violence ResponseWorkplace Violence Victimization
Workplace violence affects over 2 million U.S. workers annually, can occur in any setting, and includes a wide range of behaviors that threaten personal safety. The article seeks to identify who is most at risk by providing an overview of workplace violence and the settings where it most frequently occurs. It examines the direct and indirect financial costs of violent incidents and outlines advocacy strategies—legislative, policy, and educational—for nurses.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that over 2 million American workers are victims of workplace violence each year. Violence can strike any workplace; no area is immune. But who may be more at risk? Commonly, violence occurs at work and refers to a broad spectrum of behaviors (e.g., violent acts by patients, visitors, and/or coworkers) that result in a concern for personal safety. This article provides a brief overview of workplace violence, and discusses the settings where it often occurs. The authors consider the direct and indirect financial impact of violent acts, such as jury awards for injuries; higher than average turnover; increased requests for medical leaves; unusually high time and attendance issues; and stress related illnesses. Advocacy strategies for nurses are offered to address workplace violence on several levels, such as legislative advocacy, workplace policy, and education.