Workplace Violence in Healthcare: Prevention and De-Escalation Strategies

This CE course helps nurses recognize, prevent, and de-escalate workplace violence to stay safe in healthcare.

Workplace violence in healthcare settings has reached crisis levels, with nurses bearing the brunt of assaults, threats, and verbal abuse. From emergency departments to long-term care facilities, healthcare professionals are increasingly confronted with situations that compromise their safety and the quality of care. This 3 hour CE course provides an in-depth look at the scope of workplace violence, the unique risk factors faced by nurses, and the devastating impact on staff well-being and patient outcomes.

Participants will explore OSHA and Joint Commission standards, review prevention and environmental safety strategies, and practice verbal and non-verbal de-escalation skills. Realistic case studies and evidence-based interventions illustrate how to recognize early warning signs, respond effectively, and recover after an incident. By the end of the course, nurses will be better prepared to foster a culture of safety, support their colleagues, and advocate for workplace policies that prioritize both staff and patient protection.

Author: NIHE Faculty
Target Audience: RN, APRN, LPN/LVN
Contact Hours: 2.0
Course Created On: September 2, 2025
Course Expires On: September 1, 2027

Completion Requirements:

1. Read the entire course.
2. Complete all review questions and evaluation.
3. Achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the post-test.
4. Submit course evaluation form.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest and Relevant Financial Relationships:
Neither National Institute for Healthcare Education nor any authors, planners, content experts, or contributors have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Accreditation Statement:

National Institute for Healthcare Education is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #13886, for continuing education credit.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this course is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider in considering diagnosis and treatment options for a particular patient’s medical condition. Copyright © 2025: All rights reserved. No part of the materials may be reproduced without the express written consent of TopNurseCE.com Professional Educational Institution. The content of this course is intended to provide general information on the topics covered. This information has been prepared by experts with practical experience in the subject matter. This should not be considered medical, legal or professional advice. TopNurseCE.com recommends that individuals contact a licensed medical, legal or professional provider in their respective state. While TopNurseCE.com uses reasonable efforts to ensure that all content provided in this course is accurate and current at the time of publication, TopNurseCE.com makes no representations as to its applicability to your particular situation. No guarantees are given and reliance on them does not constitute liability. Testimonials are collected from feedback surveys submitted by customers. The model presented is for representation purposes and is not intended for actual customers.

Course Outline

Workplace Violence in Healthcare: Prevention and De-Escalation Strategies

1. Introduction: The Scope of Workplace Violence in Healthcare
   • Definitions (OSHA, ANA, Joint Commission)
   • Statistics and current trends
   • Why healthcare workers are at higher risk
2. Types and Risk Factors of Workplace Violence
   • Four categories (criminal intent, patient/family, worker-on-worker, personal relationship)
   • Contributing factors: mental health, substance abuse, long wait times, high stress environments
   • High-risk units (ED, behavioral health, geriatrics, home care)
3. Impact on Nurses and Patient Care
   • Physical injuries
   • Emotional trauma and burnout
   • Retention, staffing shortages, and patient safety outcomes
4. Regulatory, Legal, and Ethical Considerations
   • OSHA guidelines and enforcement
   • The Joint Commission requirements
   • State laws and mandates
   • Ethical duty to protect staff and patients
5. Prevention Strategies
   • Risk assessment tools
   • Environmental controls (security, lighting, panic buttons)
   • Policy and procedure development
   • Leadership’s role in building a culture of safety
6. De-Escalation Techniques
   • Early recognition of escalating behaviors
   • Verbal de-escalation skills (tone, word choice, empathy)
   • Non-verbal communication (body language, positioning)
   • Team strategies and code responses
7. After an Incident: Response and Recovery
   • Immediate steps and reporting
   • Documentation requirements
   • Psychological support and peer debriefing
   • Continuous improvement (root cause analysis, policy revisions)
8. Case Studies and Best Practices
   • Realistic clinical scenarios
   • What worked / what didn’t
   • Lessons learned from hospitals with successful programs
9. Conclusion: Building a Safer Future for Nurses and Patients
   • Re-emphasizing prevention and resilience
   • Call to action for nurses at all levels

Learning Objectives
By the end of this 2-hour CE course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the four main types of workplace violence as defined by OSHA and recognize their relevance in healthcare settings.
2. Identify patient-related, environmental, organizational, and community-based risk factors that contribute to workplace violence in healthcare.
3. Analyze the physical, psychological, and professional impacts of workplace violence on nurses and patient care.
4. Summarize the regulatory, legal, and ethical standards guiding workplace violence prevention, including OSHA and Joint Commission requirements.
5. Apply evidence-based prevention strategies to reduce risk and foster a culture of safety in healthcare organizations.
6. Demonstrate verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques to manage aggressive or escalating situations effectively.
7. Evaluate appropriate responses and recovery steps after a violent incident, including documentation, reporting, and peer support