More than six out of 10 nurses have been verbally abused over the last two years while working in the community, according to Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
The survey for the RCN also found 11% had been the victim of physical abuse.
Almost 39% of nurses felt that the risks to lone workers had increased over the past two years. The poll further found that 55% of nurses were working outside normal office hours and felt less safe as a result.
RCN chief executive Dr Peter Carter said: "I am utterly appalled. Nurses working alone in the community are vulnerable and are often without back up or immediate help close by - out of sight should not mean out of mind".
"During these dark winter nights I expect that many nurses may feel even more at risk and this must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Although almost nine out of 10 nurses said that their employer did have a lone worker policy in place it seems that the policies have not been effective enough.
Dr Carter that it was "somewhat encouraging" that so many employers had a lone worker policy in place, however he maintained that it was "concerning that some nurses feel this is nothing more than a tick box exercise".
Of those surveyed more than a third claimed that the level of substance abuse among patients had also increased.