On average, over the last decade, U.S.
healthcare workers have accounted for two-thirds of the nonfatal workplace
violence injuries involving days away from work across all industries. These
workers face the risk of both physical violence and non-physical violence, such
as verbal abuse, on the job. NIOSH and partners found through their work that
there is a lack of workplace violence prevention training being offered to
nurses and other healthcare workers. This on-line course helps to fill this
gap by providing a convenient, free way for nurses, as well as other healthcare
workers, to gain this training and earn continuing education units.
“No worker
should be afraid of violence in their workplace, especially those who commit
their lives to the care and treatment of patients,” said Director John
Howard, M.D. “This course shows how innovative ideas for developing trainings
and strong partnerships can help to address this preventable workplace hazard.”
Focus groups
and stakeholder meetings were used to develop and test the course content and
design. The course is separated in to 13 units, each expected to take
approximately 15 minutes to complete. It is also designed so that participants
can restart the course where they last left it, allowing them the ability to
manage their time when taking the course.