Assault is a crime and it should be reported to the police. Nurses need to use ANA and their state nurses association for bargaining power. Also, report to your local representatives. Violence described here will result in a death if left unchecked. No person has a right to assault another. It is always a crime and should be reported as such. If it's a patient they might not be accountible depending on their diagnoses. Still the employer does have a responsibility to keep the work place safe. If its unsafe for one nurse, its unsafe for all. I'd be contacting an attorney and asking him/her to send hospital administration a letter reminding them they can be held accountible for an unsafe work environment.