A recent survey report released by the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) has unveiled alarming statistics about the prevalence of workplace abuse among nurses in Canada. According to the report, 95 per cent of the 4,700 nurses surveyed have experienced violence or harassment in their workplace, yet only 46 per cent indicated that they reported these incidents.
Widespread Abuse Despite Legal Changes
Linda Silas, national president of the CFNU, expressed concern over the persistent and worsening nature of these issues. "We knew violence was a big issue," she said. Since their first campaign to highlight workplace problems in 1990, the situation has not improved and is now getting worse. Silas noted that weapons such as pistols, arms, and knives have been brought into healthcare settings, leading to more severe injuries among nurses.
The survey, conducted in partnership with Viewpoints Research, aims to shed light on the rampant abuse nurses face daily and to drive positive changes in legislation. Silas emphasized the need for a shift in mindset among both policymakers and nurses, from accepting violence as part of the job to recognizing it as a critical incident with serious consequences.
"The law changed in 2022. Bill C-3 amended the Criminal Code, where hitting a nurse meant the same thing as hitting a police officer; it was an automatic assault. That really started changing the mentality of everyone, but we still have a lot of educating to do at the baseline," Silas explained.
Understaffing Fuels Abuse Cycle
The report highlights that understaffing is a key factor perpetuating the cycle of abuse. Among hospital nurses surveyed, 81 per cent reported that their workplaces are regularly over capacity. Involuntary overtime hours and burnout are consistent issues. Verbal abuse is nearly universal, with patients and their families being the usual source. However, some respondents also reported bullying and verbal abuse from co-workers, further escalating tensions for already stretched staff.
"It all relates back to the staffing and the working conditions. If there's enough staff to take care of patients, you can defuse the situation. Whereas right now, we don't have time to defuse any situation because there's not enough staffing," Silas said.
Many nurses continue to work even after experiencing physical or sexual abuse. These incidents often go unreported, as one in three nurses fear repercussions from reporting work-related violence or harassment. Less than half of respondents expressed confidence in their workplace's reporting systems and ability to resolve these issues.
The CFNU report underscores the urgent need for improved staffing levels, better reporting mechanisms, and a cultural shift to ensure the safety and well-being of nurses across Canada.
