{"id":2017,"date":"2022-03-16T16:38:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-16T16:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wimetest.com\/blog\/?p=2017"},"modified":"2022-04-22T01:12:07","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T01:12:07","slug":"bullying-in-nursing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildirismedicaleducation.com\/blog\/bullying-in-nursing","title":{"rendered":"Bullying in Nursing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Sheryl Ness, MA, BSN, ADN, RN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The concept of bullying in nursing is not a new one. I remember hearing the phrase \u201cnurses eat their young\u201d as I started my career. I had to admit, I didn\u2019t believe it. I wondered how it could be true that someone who had dedicated their life to caring for others could be capable of causing harm to a coworker on purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I entered the workforce, I quickly understood what kind of behaviors represent bullying. They included intimidation, belittling, and shaming. I experienced bullying at all levels, from the physician team to nurse leaders and other coworkers, and sometimes even from patients. I was young and inexperienced (as well as very introverted), so it took me years to really discover the best way to reconcile this and understand how to best manage bullying behaviors on a personal and professional level. I\u2019m still learning. Bullying remains a pervasive problem in nursing (and in the workplace in general).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Defining the Problem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Making<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The American Nurses Association (ANA, 2015) defines bullying as \u201crepeated, unwanted harmful actions intended to humiliate, offend, and cause distress in the recipient.\u201d This was the ANA formally recognizing the problem \u201cin black and white\u201d and stating that the nursing profession was not willing to tolerate violence of any kind from any source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to remember the ANA\u2019s Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANA, 2015) also states that nurses are obliged to \u201ccreate an ethical environment and culture of civility and kindness, treating colleagues, coworkers, employees, students, and others with dignity and respect.\u201d Even so, a recent survey of nurses found around 45% reporting having been bullied by other nurses, with 41% reporting verbal harassment or bullying from direct managers or administrators (Edmonson et al., 2019). Another report found that over 50% of nurses have left their job within the first 6 months because of bullying (RNnetwork, 2017).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wondered how it could be true that someone who had dedicated their life to caring for others could be capable of causing harm to a coworker on purpose.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bullying Behaviors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Behaviors that represent bullying can range from shaming and ostracizing to humiliating comments, or unfair treatment that is repeated over time. This might include situations such as unfair assignments or scheduling, degrading comments directed at a person, and intimidating behaviors meant to harm or humiliate another. The emotional toll caused by this type of behavior can be devastating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why does this happen? Sometimes, nurses are acting based on group norms for accepted behaviors, bad role models, or peer pressure from others. Often, the behavior is ignored, normalized, or simply not reported out of fear. As a profession, we owe it to ourselves and future nurses to take action to address bullying behaviors in a way that creates a sense of trust and respect among nurses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Steps to Take<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Unacceptable<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Knowing how to manage bullying will put you in a place where you can feel comfortable taking on the behaviors when they occur. Each person\u2019s situation is different, but here are a few ideas that may help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n