ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Violence in communities doesn't just affect victims  — it also takes a toll on those working to save lives. Emergency room nurses face the emotional and physical impact of trauma every day, especially as gun violence continues to surge.

In the heart of the emergency room, where every second counts, nurses like Stephanie Capeder find themselves not only fighting to save lives but also bracing for the emotional weight that comes with it.

What You Need To Know

  • Emergency room nurses face significant emotional and physical stress as they witness and respond to the increasing violence in their communities

  • The trauma of treating victims, from gunshot wounds to burn injuries, leaves a lasting impact on nurses, despite the hospital's support systems

  • Violence against health care workers is rising, adding to the already high-pressure environment, yet nurses remain dedicated to their life-saving work

"We have a great relationship with, not only police and the community, but our EMS partners," Capeder said. "So a lot of times, if they know something's coming in, they'll give us a call ahead and say, 'Hey, something just happened nearby, we're in route.'"

ER nurses are often the first to witness the devastating effects of violence in their communities.

"We assess the patient when they come in, kind of see, OK, how bad is it? Is there an entry wound and an exit wound? Are we concerned that there are still fragments in the body that we need to run down to radiology and get a CAT scan or an X-ray or figure out kind of the extent of the injury?" Capeder said.

And violence can happen at any age.

"There are certain ones that stick with you," Capeder said.

And it comes in many forms. Capeder remembers her first burn victim, a memory that still lingers a decade later — a reminder that brutality takes many forms, from domestic abuse to other acts of violence that bring patients through the ER doors.

"That patient sticks with me forever... the smell of the fire on his skin," said Capeder.

The hospital has systems in place to help staff cope, from team debriefings after traumatic cases to mental health resources. But the impact isn’t easy to shake.

"Sometimes you find yourself awake at 1 in the morning thinking about the shift and what happened in the shift," Capeder said. "And it's being able to talk with my coworkers here, and just kind of have the conversation about, did I do everything right? Could I have done something different?"

It’s not just the trauma of saving lives — nurses are seeing an alarming rise in violence directed at them. A 2024 survey by National Nurses United found that more than 80% of nurses have faced some form of workplace violence in the past year.

"We're seeing a high number of violence in the emergency department," Capeder said. "Whether it's stressful family members coming in or patients who are dealing with a stressful situation. We're here to care for you, but we also could use some support and care, even in those stressful situations."

For Capeder and many like her, the job is a calling. The trauma may linger, but the support of colleagues and family keeps them coming back.

"It's hard, but we lean on each other," Capeder said. "Support services are what's crucial here and what keeps me coming back after 10 years. It's a lot that happens in these walls."