The Shocking Reality of Violence in Healthcare: And What We Can Do About It

Are you a healthcare worker who has been assaulted, or know someone who has? Violence against healthcare workers has reached epidemic levels, and emergency nurses are particularly at risk. Assaults on healthcare staff are leading to life-changing injuries, PTSD, and even death. According to the American Nurses Association, workplace violence is one of the most complex and dangerous occupational hazards facing nurses working in today’s health care environment. With this epidemic of violence increasing, nurses often perceive it as part of their job. Author Sheila Wilson, RN, BSN, MPH, has worked as a nurse for over 40 years, including 17 years in the ER environment. Within her career, she has been a direct witness to, and victim of, violent assault. Since co-founding Stop Healthcare Violence in 2009, Sheila has dedicated ongoing efforts to public outreach and education surrounding the growing pandemic of healthcare violence, supporting victims of assault, and lobbying for legislative change. This ebook helps healthcare providers identify potentially dangerous situations, protect and advocate for themselves, learn what employers and administrators can and should do to mitigate workplace violence, and understand something very important: being a victim of assault is not acceptable, and it is not within your job description. "Working as individuals as well as collaboratively, it is possible to harness and diminish this frightening and growing epidemic of violence against healthcare providers."