Massachusetts Nurses Struggling With Violence, Overtime, Burnout

Registered nurses are sounding the alarm about deteriorating working conditions at Massachusetts hospitals that they say are putting themselves and patient care at risk.

The annual "State of Nursing" report prepared by Beacon Research on behalf of the Massachusetts Nurses Association raises concerns about unsafe staffing levels, violence, overtime issues and job burnout.

The report states: "Registered nurses across the Commonwealth continue to report a worsening situation at the state's hospitals. They see unsafe staffing situations jeopardizing patient care and their nursing licenses, and management and lawmakers who are not responsive to their concerns."

The report further states: "Almost eight in ten (78 percent) registered nurses say that the overall quality of healthcare in Massachusetts hospitals has gotten worse in the past two years, with half (49 percent) saying it has gotten much worse."

Beacon Research surveyed 505 Massachusetts registered nurses in March 2025, most of whom are not members of the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

The survey found reports of workplace violence and abuse have increased this year.

"Seven in 10 (70 percent) RNs have personally encountered at least one instance of workplace violence or abuse in the past two years, up two points from last year, and 69% say that workplace violence and abuse is a serious problem," the report found.

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Equally alarming, "Almost 70 percent of nurses surveyed said they don't have time to provide patients with the care they need, and another 40 percent said they wouldn't feel safe admitting one of their family members to the unit where they work."

The survey says 77 percent of nurses feel state lawmakers are simply not listening to their concerns.