Workplace Violence Challenging Nurses, Impacting Retention

November 22, 2019

Forty-one percent of nurses surveyed in a study say they have been victims of bullying, incivility or other forms of workplace violence.

The 2019 AMN Healthcare Survey of Registered Nurses study surveyed 20,000 nurses across the country. The study found that nurses who feel supported in their professional development have higher satisfaction scores, as well as organizations that support workplace diversity. Enhancing safety, addressing workplace violence, reducing bullying and adding flexibility were all important factors for satisfaction and retention as well.

Additional findings include:

27 percent of nurses say they have witnessed workplace violence
10 percent say their organization addressed the situation extremely well or very well
63 percent say their organization did not address the situation well at all

The report identifies many warning signs of pressures and challenges facing nurses related to rising demand for healthcare services coupled with growing shortages of nurses and other workplace and industry issues, all of which will likely get worse in the coming decade, says the report. These warning signs include:

significant percentages of nurses working second jobs
nurses unable to spend the time they need with patients
worry about workplace violence
concern that their jobs are affecting their health
plans to leave their current job soon
desire for work-life balance

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