While health care workers make up 10% of the workforce, they experience 48% of the nonfatal injuries due to workplace violence. From the most recent data, of every 10,000 health care workers, 14 suffered injuries that kept them from work for at least a day. This is over three times the average injury rate for all jobs combined. Workplace violence impacts both mental health and physical well-being. Health care workers who experience workplace violence may also experience suicidal ideation, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and burnout. The negative outcomes not only affect the health care worker but can trickle down to patient safety and satisfaction. 

Our original bill, LB 26, has now been merged into LB 322, Sen. Clouse’s priority bill, via a Judiciary Committee amendment. Encourage your senator to support LB 322, legislation recognizing the importance of the safety and well-being of all health care staff, including those in roles such as security and custodial who are equally vulnerable to violence while encountering patients and visitors.