Workplace violence has become one of the most pressing challenges facing U.S. hospitals today. What was once considered an isolated or situational risk is now a persistent, system-wide issue affecting nearly every role and care setting. The data is clear: healthcare violence is rising, underreported, and deeply intertwined with operational stress, workforce instability, and patient safety.

Workplace Violence Is Widespread—and Getting Worse

Healthcare professionals represent approximately 10% of the U.S. workforce, yet they account for nearly 48% of all nonfatal workplace violence injuries across private industry.¹ This disproportionate exposure highlights how concentrated the risk has become inside healthcare environments.

Federal labor data shows that from 2021–2022, healthcare experienced more incidents of workplace violence than any other private industry sector, surpassing manufacturing, retail, and transportation.² The trend is not leveling off—it is accelerating.

Emergency departments, in particular, remain a flashpoint. In a national survey of emergency physicians, 91% reported either personally experiencing violence or witnessing it affect a colleague, and 71% stated that violence had worsened compared to the previous year.³ These findings point to a sustained escalation rather than a temporary spike.

The Emotional and Career Impact on the Workforce

Exposure to workplace violence has profound psychological consequences. Healthcare workers who experience violence report significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, and burnout than those who do not.

Safety concerns are also driving workforce attrition. Nearly two in five healthcare workers say they have considered leaving their job due to safety concerns, and approximately 45% report they are likely to leave within the next year if conditions do not improve.⁴⁵

This trend contributes directly to staffing shortages. Since 2022, an estimated 138,000 nurses have exited the workforce, intensifying recruitment challenges, increasing labor costs, and placing additional strain on remaining staff.⁵

Violence Is Significantly Underreported

Despite its prevalence, workplace violence in healthcare remains vastly underreported. 

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A recent surveys reinforce this pattern. In one 2024 nursing survey, 46% of respondents did not report a recent violent incident, citing a lack of confidence that reporting would lead to meaningful change.⁵ Many healthcare workers also expressed dissatisfaction with organizational response—68% felt incidents were not taken seriously, and 50% reported that no action was taken after reporting.⁵⁶

Underreporting limits visibility, obscures patterns, and makes prevention far more difficult.

Preparedness Gaps—and the Opportunity to Reduce Violence