” ‘She has multiple fractures of the orbit, subarachnoid and subdural bleeding in the brain, a clavicle fracture, swollen eyes, bruises on both eyes and her face. It looks like more than just one blow—it was several blows. It was pretty intense. And I just find it surprising – like they could have intervened sooner,’[…]” (Parker, 2025).

– Cindy (the daughter of Leelamma Lal)

Nurses, doctors, and allied healthcare professionals—we are both healers and targets, walking a tightrope between empathy and self-preservation. We dedicate our lives to caring for others during their most vulnerable and challenging times, but what happens when the very people we are trying to help turn aggressive and abusive? What happens when they become the source of our fear?

The following quotes in this blog post are from multiple different members of the Teach Me Nursing Team.

“I went to answer her call bell, when all of a sudden, she grabbed a fistful of my hair and would not let go… with her other hand she wrapped the call bell around my neck and began to pull. I couldn’t scream for help, but thank God the call bell system alerts staff when it is pulled out of the wall… a few more seconds and I don’t know where I would be…”

Considering recent events, it is imperative that we protect ourselves as nurses. Aggressive patients or families are a frequent encounter for nurses in hospitals—a difficult truth to the profession.

“We were just toileting him. He was absolutely okay and pleasant when we took him to the bathroom. I’m thankful I had my colleague with me, because when he turned and began pushing me into the wall and punching my sides, she was able to run and press the alert button in the room. I’ll never forget this… every time I remember, it’s like I’m right back there cornered in that moment. I went into healthcare to heal, not to be afraid.”

The emotional toll of such encounters cannot be overstated. Imagine pouring your heart and soul into caring for someone, only to be met with anger, hostility, or even outright cruelty. It’s natural to feel hurt, demoralized, and even question your chosen profession when you hear about or experience stories like this.

“It’s really hard to care for people who are ungrateful or abuse you.”

This simple statement encapsulates the profound struggle healthcare workers face. How do you maintain empathy and compassion when faced with aggression? How do you provide the best possible care when you are being attacked?

“When a nurse has been injured by a patient, it changes their outlook on nursing in general. We enter our workday preparing for every possibility. We must remain vigilant, even when a patient is kind and cooperative, knowing that their demeanour can shift unexpectedly.”

We can’t just accept patient aggression as ‘part of the job.’ It’s time for a new approach.

The Impact:

• Emotional exhaustion. Dealing with aggressive patients can quickly lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and a deep sense of emotional depletion.
• Increased stress and anxiety. The fear of encountering aggression can create a constant state of unease and hypervigilance. It can lead to you feeling like your workplace is a toxic battleground.
• Reduced job satisfaction. Instead of feeling fulfilled, healthcare workers may begin to dread going to work, impacting their overall job satisfaction.
• Negative impact on personal life. The stress and emotional baggage from work can spill over into personal relationships and overall well-being.
• Post-traumatic stress. In severe cases, experiencing or witnessing aggressive incidents can even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—especially when one cannot discontinue their care for patients that may have caused PTSD to develop.

Strategies for Care for Aggressive Patients:

While there’s no easy fix, here are some strategies healthcare workers can use when working with aggressive patients:

• Stay aware. Pay attention to your surroundings when in hallways or patient rooms.
• Prioritize safety. If a patient becomes physically aggressive, the priority is always the safety of yourself, your colleagues, and other patients. Know your facility’s protocols for handling violent situations and don’t hesitate to call security or law enforcement when necessary.
• Defer care. If it is unsafe to provide care at one time, reapproach when the patient is more settled and agreeable.
• Set boundaries. It’s crucial to establish clear boundaries with patients. While you need to provide care, you don’t have to tolerate abuse. If a patient becomes verbally aggressive, calmly but firmly let them know that you will not tolerate that kind of behaviour.
• Use a buddy system. Do not approach the patient alone. Take a colleague to help mitigate any threat of danger and ensure safety.
• Clear the area. If a patient has a known history of violence, call the kitchen to have them change the cutlery to plastic. Do a room check every shift to ensure no sharps are left behind in the room. Remove any items that may potentially be used to hurt anyone in the patient’s vicinity before providing care. Do not wear your stethoscope around your neck.
• Seek support. Talk to trusted colleagues, supervisors, or mental health professionals about your experiences. Sharing your feelings and receiving support can be incredibly helpful.
• Look into training resources. Healthcare institutions are responsible to equip their healthcare staff with the skills and knowledge to effectively de-escalate aggressive situations and manage their own emotional responses. Check out what courses/information your healthcare facility has to offer.

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Remember that you have one pair of eyes. One pair of hands or feet or legs. You are just as important as the patients you work with. You cannot sacrifice yourself for a moment. At the end of the day, a business will replace you, but you cannot replace what is taken from you.

Dealing with aggressive patients is an unfortunate part of the job for many healthcare professionals. It’s time we acknowledge the emotional toll it takes and work together to create a safer and more supportive environment for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Their well-being is just as important as the patients they serve.

The Teach Me Nursing STAT Team

Have you experienced aggression from patients or families? Share your thoughts and coping strategies in the comments below. (Remember to keep comments respectful and confidential.)

References:

NewsNation. (2025, February 26). Florida nurse’s daughter: Hospital attack was preventable | Banfield [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5UMGfdXpCY

Parker, T. (2025, February 21). EXCLUSIVE: Daughter of nurse savagely beaten in hospital questions why dangerous psychiatric patient admitted. WPBF. https://www.wpbf.com/article/daughter-nurse-beaten-hospital-questions-dangerous-psychiatric-patient-admitted/63845620