Scholarly Conversations: Violence in the Health Care Workplace

Saint Xavier University (SXU) School of Nursing and Health Sciences is proud to present Scholarly Conversations: Violence in the Health Care Workplace. Hosted in conjunction with Sigma Theta Tau, Alpha Omicron Chapter and Alumni Relations, this event is free and open to the public. RNs who attend will be awarded with one CEU. Please RSVP by submitting your name and RN license to alumniFREESXU.

According to The Joint Commission (2018), "Health care workers must be alert and ready to act when they encounter verbal or physical violence -- or the potential for violence -- from patients or visitors who may be under stress or who may be fragile, yet also volatile. Health care organizations are encouraged to address this growing problem by looking beyond solutions that only increase security."

As one of the largest sectors of the health care workforce, nurses are especially vulnerable to violence.

The American Nurses Association-Illinois stated in 2017:

• Seventy percent of nurse respondents reported they had experienced violence in the workplace.
• Three out of four nurses experienced verbal or physical abuse, such as yelling, cursing, grabbing, scratching or kicking, from patients and visitors.
• One in four nurses had been physically assaulted while at work by a patient or a patient's family member.

The event is on Thursday, October 25, at 7 p.m. in McGuire Hall (L-216) of the Warde Academic Center.

The featured speakers include:

• Susan Y. Swart Ed.D., RN, CAE
  Executive Director
  ANA-Illinois and Illinois Nurses Foundation
• Gregory H. Okon, M.S., CHPA
  Director
  Public Safety Department
  Palos Health
• Gloria Miranda, RN, ADN
  Surgical Trauma ICU
  Advocate Christ Medical Center

The moderator is Charlene Bermele, DNP, RN, CNE, of SXU's School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

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