Nurses’ march to shine light on workplace violence, staffing

Editor's Note

A peaceful nurses’ march protest, called United “Million” Nurses March and sponsored by Nurses Against Violence, is set to take place in Washington DC on May 12, according to HealthLeaders February 17. The protest is set to focus on two key issues plaguing the profession: workplace violence and staffing.

“Nurses and other frontline healthcare workers are much more likely to be victims of aggravated assault at work than workers in any other industry,” the HealthLeaders article highlights from Kaiser Health News. The article also cites the following:

• US healthcare workers accounted for 73% of all nonfatal injuries from workplace violence in 2018, according to federal data.
• Incidents can range from disrespectful verbal confrontations, including profanities, threats, or slurs directed toward healthcare workers, to physical altercations.
• Violence means more than physical attacks and includes racism, incivility, and discrimination.

Read more OR Manager coverage of workplace violence in healthcare in our 2-part series here and here. 

On the matter of staffing, the peaceful protest will ask for more attention on safe staffing ratios. Currently, California is the only state that requires minimum RN-to-patient rations, with more states to hopefully soon follow after a Congressional bill that “sets minimum nurse-to-patient staffing requirements and provides whistleblower protections for nurses who report violations” was introduced in May 2021.

"This march is for the healthcare worker that feels alone, silenced, and left behind,” HealthLeaders quoted Nurses Against Violence. “Incivility in nursing, including racism…discrimination, poor morale, mental illness, addiction, and the rising suicide rates among nurses” has to be addressed.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the Freedom Plaza in Washington DC and end at the Capitol at 4 p.m. EST. OR Manager wishes a safe and peaceful protest to all nurses planning to attend the march tomorrow.