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Violence is just part of the job. Every nurse and healthcare worker experiences it at some point. Sentiments like this echo across American hospitals and healthcare facilities, capturing a disturbing and growing reality. Though Americans think of nursing as the most trusted profession, we often fail to see that its also one of the most dangerous. An alarming 8 in 10 nurses face violence at work. As a result, healthcare workers are more than four times as likely to be injured by workplace violence than workers in all other industries combined. Despite these staggering numbers, the full extent of this epidemic may not be fully understood because nurses and other healthcare workers chronically underreport violent encounters. The American Nurses Association estimates that only 20% to 60% of incidents are accounted for. Additionally, there is no agreed-upon definition for workplace violence or clear way of tracking it on a national level. As a practicing bedside nurse, I have experienced my fair share of workplace violence. As a professor of nursing, my research shows that violence has become a normalized but underreported part of working in healthcare and that it affects the care patients receive in pervasive ways. What really counts as workplace violence in healthcare? When people think about workplace violence, they often imagine dramatic physical assaults. Assaults do happen, but violence directed at workers can take many other forms, including verbal threats, intimidation, sexual aggression, and bullying. What makes defining and measuring workplace violence especially difficult in healthcare settings is the range of people involved. Violence may stem from patients, their families, coworkers, or even disgruntled members of the public. Nurses and healthcare staff work with people during incredibly stressful moments in their lives. Sometimes patients are experiencing medical conditions that may cause them to act out or be confused, such as dementia, delirium, psychosis, or even postoperative reactions to anesthesia. Some healthcare organizations use vague definitions, such as workplace violence is any violent act or threat of violence, while nursing organizations advocate for tiered definitions delineating between perpetrator and intent. Although not all employees can recite their organizations official definition of workplace violence, ask a nurse whether they have ever experienced a threatening situation at work and they will likely have stories at the ready. In my 14 years of nursing practice, nurses shared many different types of threatening encounters. They reported being screamed at by distraught visitors and having their hair and wrists grabbed by patients who are trying to bite or spit at them. I have personally experienced having objects thrown at me from across the room and being threatened with retribution by patients family members. Nurses also shared more extreme experiences in which they or their coworkers were injured in the course of trying to simply deliver care. Many described the emotional impact of watching a coworker hurt badly enough to require medical attention. From my observations, its not just the major incidents but the countless small threats or insensitive behaviors that add up over a nurses career. These seemingly less-threatening events are much harder to document, and many nurses shrug them off, but the small infractions take a toll when they happen repeatedly. Breaking the culture of silence A culture of silence makes such incidents hard to track. The medical-surgical nursing unit at the hospital where I conducted my research has a healthy and supportive culture. Yet in my ongoing doctoral work, which will be published in May, of the 74% percent of staff that acknowledged experiencing workplace violence in the past year, only 30% reported the event. When nurses stay silent, whether from fear, futility or institutional pressure, violence becomes an accepted part of the job. Without accurate data, healthcare facilities dont understand the true extent of the problem, cant implement effective safety measures, and struggle to support their workers in meaningful ways. There are common themes as to why nurses underreport violence. Some nurses think reporting does not make a difference. Others find the lack of clarity in defining workplace violence or reporting policies demotivating and confusing. Nurses also report a lack of support from management, a fear of reprisal, or a sense of shame when reporting. Commonly, many nurses simply find reporting tools to be too difficult and time-consuming to use. The hidden costs to healthcare For healthcare workers, the consequences extend far beyond physical injuries. Workplace violence in all its forms contributes to anxiety, depression or PTSD, as well as job dissatisfaction. Dangerous workplace violence trends are a contributing factor in 55% of healthcare workers feeling burned out and 18% of newly licensed registered nurses leaving the profession within the first year. That is a huge problem, considering that the United States is projected to have 193,100 nursing job openings per year until 2032, yet will produce only roughly 177,400 new nurses in that time frame. This also has vast repercussions for patient care. During my nursing career, I observed my peers developing complex strategies to protect themselves while trying to provide compassionate care. Like me, they tended to carefully position themselves near doorways, maintained constant awareness of their surroundings and silently assessed each new interaction for potential risks. These invisible precautions reflect the far-reaching effects of healthcare violence. When nurses are hypervigilant about their safety, they have less emotional energy for patient care. When theyre rushing between rooms due to short staffing caused by violence-related turnover, they have less time for each patient. When they are worried about what the next patient encounter may bring, they are increasing their anxiety, fear, and stress rather than focusing on delivering quality care Creating safer healthcare together Each healthcare visit is a chance for patients and their families to improve nursing care for everyone. When you visit a hospital or clinic, try to understand the stress that healthcare workers are under and express your needs and concerns calmly. You never know what your nurse is dealing with in their interactions with other patients. They try to compartmentalize and give you their full attention, but they might also be experiencing a difficult and traumatic situation right next door. It also helps to share information that might be relevant to caring for your family member, such as whether their medical condition is causing them to act differently than normal. And you should speak up if you witness any forms of aggressive behavior. These actions might seem small, but they support healthcare staff and help prevent violence in healthcare settings. Nurses are trained to keep information private, to be problem-solvers and to bear the burden of the job, so they dont always seek support. If you have a nurse or healthcare worker in your family or circle of friends, let them know you care. Supporting their safety validates their work and leads to better care for everyone. Jason Blomquist is an assistant professor of nursing at Boise State University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Ever miss the thrill of the 2016 Pokémon Go craze? A new anti-swiping dating app has come to fill that void, but instead of cute Pokémon you can catch yourself a hot date. These days, trying to find a partner IRL, whether at a bar or reluctantly joining a singles running club, is no easy task. Dating apps are still one of the most common places for people trying to meet The One, but . . . have you seen the apps? 2024 has been widely dissed as the year the dating apps died. Both Bumble and Match Group saw stock prices steadily decline since reaching all-time highs in 2021. Left Field, the latest dating app launched in New York City this week, has the goal to combat swipe fatigue and bring back spontaneity in dating. The app uses location-based notifications to engineer real-life meet-cutes. Instead of actively swiping through endless profiles, the app sends push notifications of a potential match in the area (when location services are switched on) and two users could happen to cross paths. Samantha Martin and Kate Sieler began building Left Field last year to address their own mounting frustrations with existing dating apps. We interviewed over a hundred Gen Zers and heard the same three complaints again and again, the founders told Fast Company in an email. First, dating apps are a massive time drain; people are spending hours swiping each week. The second issue is the rise of paywallsit feels like apps are prioritizing monetization over connections. And finally, dating feels more forced and inorganic than ever. In 2024, 78% of dating app users reportedly feel emotionally, mentally, or physically exhausted from the apps, according to one Forbes Health survey. At its core, dating should feel fun and serendipitous, they added. We believe the future of dating isnt about making swiping slightly better, but about shifting the focus back to real-life connections. The app officially launched on the Apple App Store in February, and to build its community, Left Field is leaning on in-person events and social media. Its collaborating with comedy influencers on Instagram and TikTok while hosting singles events across New Yorkteaming up with bars, running clubs, and comedy venues. Looking ahead, Left Field plans to expand to college campuses in May, rolling out student ambassador programs to help spread the word. We believe the best connections happen when you are not actively searching for them but just out living your life, said Martin and Sieler. Gotta catch ’em all.
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E-Commerce
The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. As someone who gets to see the future unfold in research and development labs around the world, Ive grown comfortable with our global food landscape constantly evolving. Part of the fun! Anticipating the trends that shape this evolution isnt just importantits essential. First, there are macro trends that continue each year and cant be ignored. By 2030, our global population will increase to 8.6 billion. This growing population needs more food, and we need to find new ways to meet this need with less impact to our planet. This requires innovation and building resilient food supply chains to connect people and families around the world to the nutrition they need and the food they love. In addition, new dynamics are reshaping consumer behavior and market demands at a rapid pace. Here is a glimpse of the top food trends and the innovations that are poised to redefine the food landscape in 2025. 1. Health and nutrition: Food gets more personal As health consciousness grows, consumers are aligning eating habits with wellness goals. While high protein diets and mindful eating still top the list, calorie reduction is quickly taking center stage. GLP-1 weight management medications can help reduce overall calorie consumption, but theyll also push demand for nutrient-dense, protein-rich and gut health-focused foods. This evolving landscape calls for targeted innovations to meet these tailored consumer needs. Functional foods that cater to individual health objectives are also surging. Consumers want personalized nutrition and ingredients with benefits like immunity promotion, mental clarity, and gut health. And lets not forget the reigning king of macronutrients: protein. From savory snacks to hearty meals, consumers continue to prioritize protein throughout the day. Whether its steak, chicken, seafood, plant-based alternatives, mycoproteins, or dairy, companies are adjusting offerings to meet diverse preferences. 2. Value redefined: The rise of at-home premiumization Inflation and rising food costs have consumers balancing premium experiences and taste with perceived value. Consumers are prioritizing affordable indulgences. Our research shows that 77% are reducing their restaurant spending, while 46% are still eating premium treats at home. From private label options to smaller serving sizes and packaging, brands are looking to maintain quality while catering to budget-conscious shoppers desire for premium experiences at home. That includes partnerships with foodservice operators and retailers to ensure that premium products, recipes, and more are accessible for dine-in or at-home experiences. One example is the Sams Club prime rib sliders, which quickly became a popular shelf staple in the U.S. We also see this expanding to bold, multicultural tastes that resonate with the culinary curious around the world. 3. Indulgence without compromise Consumers are craving treats that satisfy indulgent desires without sacrificing health. While there will always be those moments to fully indulgeusually holidays and celebrationswere seeing a trend toward healthier choices for the every day. Globally, more than 20% of people actively seek foods lower in salt, sugar and fat, with the percentage increasing with age. For example, PepsiCo recently reduced saturated fat in Lays potato chips in China by 50%. Consumers are also reducing sugar intake, with 66% of Americans trying to limit sugars. Innovative sweeteners that offer a choice for reduced and zero calorie food and beverages are becoming more popular, ranging from sports drinks, soda, and coffee to baked goods and ice cream. 4. Food tech: Revolutionize innovation through generative AI Generative AI isnt just a buzzword; its revolutionizing food development and operations. McKinsey estimates GenAI could add $2.6 to $4.4 trillion of global productivity annually, with $40-70 billion to come from agriculture. Thats why were investing and adopting new technologies that can safely support our people and deliver results. At Cargill, were piloting AI-driven research tools to accelerate knowledge sharing and product development. Our teams use AI to aid in everything from optimizing fermentation enzymes to microbiome assessments and ingredient reformulations, to help bring new solutions to market more quickly, using ingredients that meet fast-changing consumer preferences and supply challenges. Shaping tomorrows table The food industrys transformation in 2025 is brimming with potential. New consumer trends are pushing innovators to deliver solutions that meet these health, nutrition, convenience, and indulgence trends with tastes and flavors that consumers love. And while trends may adjust year to year, Im a strong believer that it takes an ecosystem approach to make these solutions possible at a global scale. Partnerships are needed across the food supply chain, starting with farmers, and connecting to food favorites that show up in restaurants and on the grocery shelf. This intersection of new food innovations that can meet our growing populations needs around the world is what excites me most about the future of food. Florian Schattenmann is CTO and vice president of R&D and innovation at Cargill.
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E-Commerce
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