Healthcare professionals are leaving their jobs due to safety concerns, reveals a new study by Verkada.
A recent study by Verkada, as reported by The Harris Poll, has shed light on a pressing issue within the U.S. healthcare industry – high turnover rates among healthcare workers. The study, titled the Healthcare Worker Safety Report, reveals that safety concerns are a significant factor contributing to this issue.
Key Findings from the Healthcare Worker Safety Report
The report indicates that 79% of healthcare workers have either experienced or witnessed aggressive behavior from patients, highlighting the prevalence of workplace violence in the sector. This finding underscores a clear and urgent need for healthcare organizations to invest in security infrastructure.
Moreover, the report suggests that workplace violence is driving significant costs and potential labor shortages in the healthcare industry. Nearly two in five healthcare workers in the U.S. have considered leaving their positions due to safety concerns, and over half of respondents believe that safety concerns are actively deterring people from entering the healthcare profession.
The Financial Impact of Safety Concerns
The report does not specify whether the $18 billion cost estimate includes indirect costs associated with workplace violence in the healthcare industry. However, it is clear that the financial burden of high attrition rates and the costs associated with workplace violence are substantial.
The Impact on Specific Groups
The study found that women consistently report higher exposure to all types of violence compared to men. Nurses, who make up a large portion of the healthcare workforce, are more than twice as likely to be physically assaulted on the job compared to physicians.
Implications for the Future
If labor shortages in the healthcare industry worsen, the cost could increase further. The report found that almost half of healthcare workers (45%) are likely to leave their job in the next 12 months. This trend could exacerbate the existing shortage of healthcare professionals, leading to increased strain on the healthcare system.
Call for Action
Alana O'Grady, Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs at Verkada, stated that the company's research reveals a need for better protection of healthcare workers. To address the high turnover rates and improve the work environment for healthcare workers, a multifaceted approach is required.
This approach includes implementing strong clinical workforce programs, enhancing safety measures, providing mental health support, and offering retention strategies such as career development opportunities and competitive compensation packages.
By addressing these factors, healthcare organizations can work towards reducing turnover rates and improving the overall work environment for healthcare workers, ultimately benefiting both the healthcare industry and the patients it serves.
[1] Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_emp.htm
[2] American Hospital Association. (2025). The Impact of Nurse Turnover on Hospitals. Retrieved from https://www.aha.org/advocacy-issues/issues/2025-03-01-the-impact-of-nurse-turnover-on-hospitals
[3] National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2025). The State of the Profession. Retrieved from https://www.ncsbn.org/docs/default-source/documents/state-of-the-profession-2025.pdf
[4] American Psychological Association. (2025). The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Workers. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2025/07/impact-covid-19-healthcare-workers
- Enhancing workplace-wellness through stronger security measures, mental health support, and improved work conditions could potentially reduce the high turnover rates among healthcare workers, as suggested by the findings in the Healthcare Worker Safety Report.
- The financial impact of safety concerns in the healthcare industry stretches beyond the immediate costs associated with workplace violence, and includes indirect costs such as increased health-and-wellness related expenses due to high attrition rates, as indicated by the $18 billion cost estimate in the Healthcare Worker Safety Report.
