NNU report says most nurses faced workplace violence in past year

National Nurses United has released a new report saying workplace violence remains a widespread problem for nurses and other health care workers. The union said its nationwide survey found that a large majority of nurses experienced at least one type of workplace violence in the past year, and more than one-third reported that violence increased on their unit over that same period.

The report, The State of Workplace Violence in Health Care in 2025-2026, was released on June 16, 2026. It analyzes survey data collected from 1,267 registered nurses working in 28 states and Washington, D.C., between July 2025 and May 2026. NNU said the findings show that workplace violence remains a serious hazard affecting both nurses and patients, and that more action is needed to protect health care workers.

According to the report, 84.8 percent of nurses said they experienced at least one type of workplace violence in the past year. NNU also said 36.4 percent reported an increase in workplace violence on their unit during the previous year, while 6.8 percent said violence had decreased. The report said these results reflect continuing concern about safety in health care settings.

The survey also found that verbal threats remain common. NNU reported that 70.3 percent of nurses said they had been verbally threatened in the previous year. The union described this as part of a broader pattern of violence that has continued in health care facilities nationwide.

NNU said safe staffing is a key part of preventing workplace violence. Only 35.5 percent of nurses reported that staff are available at all times to respond to violence incidents, and 28.5 percent said additional staff are placed to reduce the risk of violence. The union said this is significant because research cited in its 2024 workplace violence prevention fact sheet found that workplace violence is much more likely when nurses are short staffed.

The release said short staffing can increase risk in several ways, including longer wait times, unmet patient needs, and greater stress and moral distress among health care staff. In its surveys and focus groups, NNU said nurses often pointed to short staffing as a factor that increases the chance of workplace violence.

NNU also said employers are not doing enough to put proven prevention measures in place. The survey found that 40.2 percent of nurses said their facility uses a chart or room-flagging system to identify patients at increased risk of violence. A smaller share, 17.0 percent, said their facility uses metal detectors to prevent weapons from entering.

The report said only 18.2 percent of nurses reported that their employer includes nurses and other employees in violence risk assessments. NNU said scientific research has shown this step is vital to effective workplace violence prevention plans. The survey also found that 38.4 percent of nurses said their employer provides a clear way to report incidents.

The union said workplace violence rates in health care have surged nationally since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, building on increases that were already occurring in earlier years. The report said the new findings confirm that violence remains an ongoing problem for nurses across the country.

NNU said it strongly supports a comprehensive workplace violence prevention standard. The union pointed to the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, S. 1232/H.R. 2531, as legislation aimed at protecting nurses, other health care workers, and patients from workplace violence. According to the release, the federal bills would require the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to create a standard that would make health care and social service employers develop, implement, and maintain effective workplace violence prevention plans.

NNU said such a standard would include the elements it considers necessary to protect nurses and other health care workers. The release did not provide a timeline for federal action on the bills.

National Nurses United described itself as the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States, with more than 225,000 members nationwide. The organization said its affiliates include the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.

The release directed readers to the full report for statistics and sources. It did not include additional details beyond the survey findings, the union’s assessment of staffing and prevention measures, and its support for federal workplace violence protections.