Bullying in the nursing
profession seems to be far more prevalent than many realize. Why does bullying take place? What are the outcomes? How can bullying be prevented? Reported this year, research from Workplace Safety and Health states that bullying in the
nursing workplace has been identified as a factor that affects patient outcomes
and increases occupational stress and staff turnover.
Research
on nurse bullying was done to assess registered nurses' exposure to workplace
bullying. Pacific Northwest state professional nurses' association membership
was solicited. Forty-eight percent of respondents admitted to being bullied in
the workplace during the previous six months, with respondents choosing "being
ignored or excluded" as the most common negative experience in the
workplace.
The results of this study suggest that workplace bullying is a continuing
concern. Reduction strategies must be devised as a means of retaining nurses
and preventing these adverse outcomes. One strategy shown to be effective in
curbing bullying is assertiveness and aggression training for nurses. The
following video further explains nurses bullying other nurses and emphasizes
the need to improve the environment in healthcare workplaces in general.
Frances
Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book
editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog
