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Commentary: Nurses get bitten, spat on, thrown. That's why we're on strike.

By The New York Times  
   February 04, 2026

More than 80% of nurses experience workplace violence each year, according to one industry survey. The rate of violent incidents is reportedly increasing, too. Almost all of these assaults are perpetrated by patients, though patients' family members can also threaten our safety. People don't realize that hospitals are increasingly dangerous places to work in. Because nurses spend more time than anyone else with patients, we often get the brunt of their anger with the healthcare industry, lack of adequate services and long wait times.

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