2 replies   Tania   Workplace Bullying in Nursing Practice In research from Arnetz et al

2 replies

Tania

Workplace Bullying in Nursing Practice

In research from Arnetz et al., (2019) nursing is one of the professions that is dedicated to helping other people, and due to the nature of the work, nursing can be emotional. Workplace bullying is a serious issue in nursing; as in any workplace setting. Incivility is one of the actions that is said to be rude, disrespectful, and discourteous. Bullying is repeated, unwanted and harmful actions that humiliate and offend or cause distress to the recipient. Bullying is an act of aggression in the workplace, which can be physical or verbal, and is unacceptable in society.

When bullying happens, it affects the nurse and affects the ability to care for their parents properly. It is important to protect the nurses from these issues by coming up with policies, advocacy, and resources to nurture a healthy, safe, and respectful working environment. Arnetz et al., (2019) concluded that there will be increased positive outcomes for the patients if there is a safe work environment. One of the experiences I had was name-calling and overworking. As one who is practicing, the nurses thought it was my responsibility to work overtime to get more experience, which is not the case.

Once the working environment becomes negative, it greatly impacts the hospital. According to research, "it is very disheartening when new nurses enter the profession and are eaten alive.” This leads to such cases of bullying including personal clashes and the urge to teach new nurses in a way that is acceptable for the old nurses. Another experience I had with bullying as a new nurse was because I would perform a task that the old nurses thought I should. For example, I felt as if the task did not fulfill the ethical considerations of a patient that they expected me to do. People should understand that everyone is different, and everyone must learn how to work together collaboratively.

When it comes to the reduction of the cycle of incivility in nursing, it is important to not let an issue like rudeness go unresolved. According to Yun and Kang (2018), most people fail to report incivility cases because they fear they might be told they are complainers, and thus they worry in silence. As a nurse, it is important to rest, to have enough energy to attend to the patients and deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.

It is important to exhibit good behavior, which means one must speak politely to everyone. It is important for those who oversee nurses’ rights to ensure that they enact laws that protect the nurses from bullying at any given point. Yun and Kang (2018) argued that to curb incivility, nurses must be trained and educated about the importance of practicing civility. It is important to pay attention and attend to every patient or person with the respect they deserve.

Sonya

Workplace Bullying in Nursing Practice

Bullying is defined as recurring, humiliating actions with the intent to offend and cause distress (ANA, 2020). In the workplace bullying has become a very serious issue affecting the nursing profession. Workplace bullying can take several different forms. Lateral violence is a common occurrence in healthcare. It manifests when two people who are both victims of a situation of dominance turn on each other rather than confront the system that oppressed them both. Those affected internalize their anger and frustration, then deal with these feelings through negative actions, for example, gossip, jealousy, putdowns, and blaming.

Incivility is defined as “a low-intensity deviant behavior with the ambiguous intent to damage the target, breaking the norm of mutual respect in the workplace. Incivility which can lead to bullying can also lead to violence in the workplace (Thompson, 2017). Though it may seem improbable, incivility and bullying are more widespread in nursing than is common. Nursing turnover can be related to bullying, new graduate nurses who quit their first job in nursing within 6 months report that it is because of being bullied. New nurses also reported receiving the heavier patient assignments, and senior nurses instead of assisting them refuses, or say their too busy with their assignments. When this is observed by the patients it can have a negative effect on them as well.

There is a saying, “Nurses call it “eating our young” This occurs when experience nurses takes advantage of younger colleagues due to a lack of experience or unfamiliarity with minor elements of the job. On the other hand, younger nurses might criticize the older nurses because of their lack of knowledge with technology. The male nurses can bully female nurses, registered nurses (RNs) mistreat licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and vice versa. Whether the bullying behavior is in the form of verbal abuse, threats, humiliating or intimidating actions it is wrongdoing. I remember as a new nurse there was a male nurse who was older and consider a senior nurse that harasses me, all the time. Every mistake I made he would wait until he was in the presence of other nurses to bring it to my attention. At first, I thought he was trying to help me, but I came to realized he wanted to embarrass me. I was told he only did it to new female nurses. One day as he was relieving me and started with his foolishness. I told him “you have been treating me like this for quite some time, I would like it to ends today or I will write a complaint and speak to the Director of Nurses”. I wish I would have said it sooner because the bullying stop.

There should be zero tolerance when it comes to bullying others. Nurses need to be empowered with clear professional expectations to stop bullying and lateral violence. There should be policies and procedures at the workplace concerning, mistreatment toward others. The staff should be trained and educated to speak up when they observed other nurses acting inappropriately to colleagues. Nurse leaders and managers must coach novice nurses on professionally addressing bullying intervene and coach perpetrators to stop behaviors that make an unhealthy work environment. (Berry et al., 2016). Finally you should treat others with respect and dignity as you would want to be treated.