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On Thursday afternoon, a group of Wichita nurses gathered publicly to demand urgent reforms addressing workplace violence in hospitals. The protest highlighted growing concerns about the safety of healthcare workers who face aggressive and sometimes dangerous situations while performing their duties.
Among those speaking out was Shelly Raider, an emergency room nurse at Via Christi St. Francis. Raider shared her personal experience of being assaulted while on duty, explaining that she was forced to press charges against an individual who attacked her at work.
According to Raider, these incidents are no longer rare — they are becoming alarmingly frequent.
Emergency Room Nurses Facing Dangerous Situations
Raider emphasized that healthcare professionals are increasingly encountering weapons inside medical facilities.
“I can’t even count how many knives, guns, and other weapons we have taken from patients,” she explained. “As a nurse, I am not security. It should not be my responsibility to monitor for weapons or manage those threats.”
Her comments shed light on a broader issue within hospital emergency rooms, where medical staff often encounter patients and visitors in highly emotional or unstable states. Raider noted that situations frequently escalate when family members become involved, making already tense circumstances even more volatile.
Call For Weapons Detection And Increased Security
The protesting nurses are calling for stronger safety protocols, including:
- Weapons detection systems
- Increased security staffing
- Safer working environments for both staff and patients
- Clear policies supporting nurses who report assaults
Raider urged fellow nurses who have been attacked to formally report incidents and pursue legal action when appropriate. She believes that greater transparency and accountability could push hospitals to take stronger action.
“I do not have to go through that. I do not have to be swung at or spat on,” Raider stated firmly, reinforcing the demand for respect and protection in healthcare settings.
Via Christi Responds To Safety Concerns
In response to the protest, a spokesperson for Via Christi issued a statement reaffirming the hospital’s commitment to employee safety.
The organization emphasized that the safety and well-being of associates remain a top priority. Hospital leadership expressed support for nurses and other staff members in efforts to prevent violence in the workplace.
According to the statement, Via Christi’s current workplace violence prevention strategy includes:
- Visible security presence
- De-escalation training for staff
- Use of threat assessment tools to identify risks early
- Oversight from cross-functional Workplace Violence Prevention Committees
- Enhanced visitor management procedures
- Expanded security staffing and specialized training
- Ongoing upgrades to video surveillance systems
- Continuous improvements aligned with research-based best practices
Hospital officials stated that they regularly review and strengthen security protocols across all facilities to improve protection for both employees and patients.
Growing National Concern Over Hospital Safety
The protest in Wichita reflects a wider national conversation about healthcare worker safety. Emergency room staff, in particular, face unpredictable situations involving patients under stress, mental health crises, or substance-related issues.
Healthcare workers argue that while providing compassionate care remains their primary mission, personal safety must not be compromised.
Many believe that comprehensive violence prevention programs and stricter enforcement policies are essential to creating safer hospital environments.
The rally led by Wichita nurses underscores a critical issue affecting healthcare systems nationwide: workplace violence in hospitals. Nurses like Shelly Raider are speaking out not only for themselves but for the safety of their colleagues and patients.
While Via Christi has outlined existing safety initiatives, nurses are calling for stronger protections, including weapons detection systems and expanded security measures.
As healthcare workers continue to face rising incidents of aggression, the push for reform highlights the urgent need to balance compassionate patient care with meaningful safety safeguards.