I wish I had a lighthearted meme or picture to share with you this week, but the disturbing report about a nurse who was assaulted in Florida demands our attention. The rise in violence against front-line healthcare workers is not just a statistic—it’s a growing crisis that’s hard to ignore.
As healthcare professionals, we work with patients in pain, under the influence of medications, and under immense stress. This environment naturally increases the potential for violence, and unfortunately, family members can sometimes add to that risk. Nurses, specifically, are frequently in the position of carrying out doctors’ orders that patients and their families may not agree with, all while navigating cramped rooms with limited exits. In these situations, healthcare workers are vulnerable—without body armor, their only defense is de-escalation.
The already heavy burden of understaffed hospitals makes these situations even worse. Healthcare workers are stretched thin, patient care gets delayed, and the risk of violence continues to grow. The recent incident in Florida is just one example of this alarming trend. But while we may feel powerless, our collective voice has the potential to make a difference.
Now more than ever, we need to speak up. Report inappropriate behavior before it escalates. Support our colleagues when they raise these concerns and hold the system accountable for dangerous conditions.
As tensions rise and trust in healthcare professionals declines, I urge you to prioritize your safety. Be aware of your surroundings, know your exits, and never put yourself in harm’s way. You give so much of yourself every day, but your safety should never be one of those things.
Take care and stay safe,
Zach Smith, BSN-RN
VP of Brand & Engagement
Stability Healthcare
