In a new position statement, the American Nurses Association declared that nursing "will no longer tolerate violence of any kind from any source."
"Taking this clear and strong position is critical to ensure the safety of patients, nurses and other healthcare workers," said Pamela Cipriano, PhD, RN, president of the ANA. "Enduring physical or verbal abuse must no longer be accepted as part of a nurse's job."
The new position statement was developed by a panel of registered nurses. It includes the following recommendations for RNs and their employers to prevent and mitigate violence:
- Establish a shared commitment by nurses and employers to create a safe, trustworthy environment promoting respect and dignity
- Encourage employees to report incidents of violence
- Encourage RNs to participate in educational programs and use situational awareness to anticipate potential violence
- Develop a violence prevention program aligned with federal health and safety guidelines that includes RN input