With violence against nurses reportedly on the rise, the organization representing the profession is saying enough is enough.

The American Nursing Association unveiled a "zero tolerance" policy for workplace violence Monday. The 23-page document lists several recommendations for improving nurse safety, but perhaps the main point was for those in the health care profession no longer to turn a blind eye to the problem.

"Those who witness workplace violence and do not acknowledge it, who choose to ignore it, or who fail to report it are in fact perpetuating it," ANA stated.

ANA lists not only direct forms of violence but incivility and bullying as contributing to the problem. As for actual violence, an association survey of 3,765 registered nurses found 43 percent had been physically or verbally threatened by a patient or family member of a patient. Twenty-four percent had been assaulted by a patient or a family member of a patient.

"A safe work environment promotes physical and psychological well-being," ANA said. "If members of the health care team do not feel safe, the work environment is left vulnerable, and everyone's safety is compromised." http://bit.ly/1JvdjwE

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