The International Council of Nurses (ICN) have released a landmark report to mark International Nurses Day 2025. It represents a stark warning: nurses across the globe are facing unprecedented levels of violence, burnout, and systemic neglect that threaten the future of health care delivery.

Titled “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies”, the report draws on a major global survey of 68 National Nursing Associations and highlights the growing threat to nurses’ safety, particularly from workplace violence. Over 86% of nurses surveyed reported experiencing violence from patients or the public, and more than two-thirds have faced aggression from colleagues.

Despite these serious risks, the ICN notes that responses to workplace violence are inadequate. Although 68% of countries have policies to prevent violence against health staff, a quarter of respondents rated these policies as ineffective. Moreover, support systems for affected staff remain critically insufficient.

“The normalisation of violence in healthcare settings is both morally unacceptable and strategically unsustainable,” said ICN President Dr Pamela Cipriano. “No nurse should have to choose between personal safety and professional duty.”

Maybo’s Lead Healthcare Consultant, Simon Whitehorn, responded to the findings:

“This report confirms what many in the sector have long known, that violence and aggression are not isolated issues but symptoms of deeper systemic problems in healthcare. We must do all we can to equip organisations with the skills, policies, and confidence to build safer, more respectful working environments.”

The ICN report also connects nurse well-being to broader economic outcomes, noting that neglecting nurse health contributes to costly turnover, absenteeism, and reduced care quality. Conversely, investing in safety and support systems can generate up to $300 billion in productivity gains globally.

Maybo remains committed to supporting the healthcare sector with practical strategies and training to prevent and manage conflict, reduce risk, and promote wellbeing. As this new data makes clear, creating safe environments for nurses is not just a moral imperative, it’s vital to the future of healthcare itself.

Read the full ICN report here.