Protecting our nursing and healthcare workers with comprehensive strategies for preventing violence and promoting safety: An American Academy of Nursing consensus paper

Concerns about workplace safety have contributed to a variety of negative personal and organizational outcomes in health care. In this consensus paper, we explore the current legislative and regulatory environment affecting workplace safety in organizations employing nurses and providing patient care, bringing nurses' voices to policy that directly affects their well-being. Incorporating feedback gathered during the 2023 American Academy of Nursing (Academy) Policy Dialogue on workplace violence prevention, we summarize the scope of the problem, provide clarification on the position of the Academy, highlight effective practice exemplars, and recommend policy changes. This work is aimed at mitigating the risk and occurrence of violence in the healthcare workplace, ensuring the protection of both the nursing and healthcare workforce and the public through policy recommendations.