Nursing Advocacy: Standing Up Against Violence
- monikamdo3
- Mar 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 30
By: Dr. Mark Miller DNP, AGACNP
Nurses hold one of the most critical responsibilities in healthcare: providing care to those in need. We advocate to ensure patient voices are heard and their needs met. For the 23rd consecutive year, nurses have been ranked as the most trusted profession. However, our advocacy has become even more crucial—not just for our patients but for our own safety. The rising tide of workplace violence against nurses—whether physical, verbal, or emotional—demands immediate, systemic change.
Recent incidents, such as the tragic hospital shooting in York, Pennsylvania, and the violent assault of a nurse in Florida, capture public attention briefly but reflect the daily risks healthcare workers face. As a nurse, an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), and an advocate, I speak out about these dangers consistently—not just when they make headlines. I am committed to pushing for policies that protect nurses in all healthcare settings and call on ALL nurses to join me. We must act now to ensure that nurses can provide care in a safe, supportive environment.
Violence against healthcare workers is not new, but it has become more pronounced and impossible to ignore. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), healthcare workers are four times more likely to suffer workplace violence injuries than workers in other industries. The American Nurses Association (ANA) has launched a national campaign to spotlight this crisis. Nurses are particularly vulnerable because they often work alone with patients, sometimes in high-stress situations that can escalate quickly. One campaign poignantly compared reactions to assaults in different professions: "Punch a cop: arrested. A bus driver: arrested. A bartender: arrested. A nurse: 'What could you have done differently?' - Management." This stark comparison underscores the urgent need for change.
In York, PA, a recent hospital shooting claimed the life of a responding police officer. Although no nurses were killed, many were terrorized, and one nurse was reportedly used as a human shield. This horrific event highlights the unpredictable dangers in healthcare settings and the pressing need for enhanced safety protocols. The emotional and psychological toll of such incidents on healthcare workers is profound. This is not an isolated event—nurses nationwide are facing escalating violence. How many more nurses must suffer before real change happens?
Similarly, in Florida, a nurse was brutally beaten by a patient. This attack is yet another grim reminder of the dangers nurses face daily. Violence like this affects not just the victims but also their colleagues, patients, and families. The trauma nurses endure often goes unrecognized, despite its significant impact on their well-being.
As a nurse and advocate, I firmly believe that advocacy is the key to enacting lasting change. Nurses must demand action from policymakers, hospital administrators, and legislators at all levels to ensure our safety. Nursing advocacy has always prioritized patient and colleague safety, but now it must also prioritize our own.
Legislation is one of the most effective ways to combat workplace violence. States like California have enacted laws requiring hospitals to implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention programs. However, many states have yet to take meaningful action. Nurses must advocate for similar policies nationwide, pushing for clear guidelines on violence prevention, improved security measures, and stronger protections for healthcare workers.
As the Board Director for Government Affairs for the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA), I have witnessed the power of advocacy at the state level. Nurses, whether through their professional organizations or as individuals, can collaborate with lawmakers to push for stronger protections. In Tennessee, TNA has been actively lobbying for policies that ensure workplace safety and increase penalties for assaults against healthcare workers.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities must also take proactive steps to protect nurses. This includes improving security measures, installing surveillance cameras, and increasing security personnel presence in high-risk areas. Additionally, while de-escalation training is essential, it is not enough on its own. Nurses need access to personal safety measures and institutional support.
Cultural change is also necessary. We must work to eliminate the stigma around reporting workplace violence. Too often, nurses hesitate to report incidents out of fear of retaliation or being perceived as weak. A culture that encourages reporting and enforces accountability is crucial to creating a safer workplace.
Healthcare workers also need better mental health support to cope with the trauma of workplace violence. Just as we prioritize patient care, we must prioritize the mental well-being of healthcare professionals. Addressing the psychological impact of these incidents will help nurses feel supported and better equipped to manage workplace challenges.
Nurses are at the forefront of patient care and advocacy. Whether on hospital floors, in legislative chambers, or within professional organizations, our voices are powerful tools for change. The recent violent incidents in York, PA, and Florida make it clear: we must take action now.
We are our own best advocates.
We must ensure that violence in healthcare is not tolerated. Every nurse, doctor, and healthcare worker deserves a safe environment. We cannot allow these incidents to become the "new normal." Through collective advocacy, stronger safety measures, and a culture of respect and protection, we can secure a safer future for nurses. The time for action is now.
Bad Apple, LLC has donated to the Tennessee Nurses Association Political Action Committee (TNA PAC) in recognition of Dr. Mark Miller’s insightful blog post. This contribution honors his dedication to advancing the nursing profession and supporting policies that benefit nurses across Tennessee.
Dr. Mark D. Miller is a board-certified Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner who serves as the elected Board Director for Government Affairs with the Tennessee Nurses Association. In addition to his clinical practice, he is also an Assistant Professor of Nursing at King University and an Adjoint Assistant Professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt University. The views expressed in this post are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of any organization with which he is affiliated.
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