Workplace violence is a significant concern in healthcare, particularly for nurses and midwives who are disproportionately affected by it. This study aims to examine the relationships between violence exposure, momentary and prospective fear, perceived risk, and psychological vulnerability among nurses and midwives in real time, using an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) approach. A total of N = 108 nurses and midwives participated in the study, providing repeated measures of exposure to physical and nonphysical violence, perceived risk, consequences and control over future victimization. Findings suggest that exposure to violence significantly heightens nurses and midwives’ perceptions of ongoing risk, the perceived consequences of victimization, and worries about future threats of workplace violence. Individuals who have not been exposed to violence, but report high levels of fear also exhibit similar thought patterns to those who have experienced violence. The new momentary model of fear of workplace violence explains how experiences of violence and risk perception contribute to psychological vulnerability among nurses and midwives. This research highlights the need for workplace interventions to address risk perceptions and psychological vulnerability, not just actual exposure. The findings have direct implications for developing targeted interventions aimed at reducing fear and enhancing workplace safety.