Nurses Say “No” to Bullying

Some may think that bullying stops after high school — it happens to kids, not adults. Unfortunately, more than one-third of the U.S. workforce experiences bullying at some point in their career, according to ICD-10 Monitor. In the field of healthcare, more than 2 million nurses have been a target, witness, or bully, notes Health Workforce Institute. It’s so common that there’s even a saying for it: “Nurses eat their young.” As a nurse, it is up to you to recognize workplace bullying and prevent it in your practice.

What Is Bullying?

The Workplace Bullying Institute defines workplace bullying as “repeated, health-harming mistreatment by one or more employees of an employee: abusive conduct that takes the form of verbal abuse; or behaviors perceived as threatening, intimidating, or humiliating; work sabotage; or in some combination of the above.”

What Are the Signs of Bullying?

Bullying comes in many forms: physical, verbal, social, and psychological. It can happen in person or online and can even lead to sexual harassment and abuse. More often than not, it takes the form of verbal or non-verbal behavior or triangulation. Bullying behaviors cover a broad range of actions, according to American Nurse, including:

• Criticizing in front of others
• Excluding
• Hazing
• Gossiping
• Intimidating
• Name-calling
• Withholding information or giving false information
• Yelling or screaming

Are There Different Types of Bullying?

Bullying can be vertical (downward or upward) or horizontal (lateral). Vertical violence occurs between two individuals at different levels of power, such as a manager and employee or a nurse and a physician. Lateral violence is between individuals at the same level.

What Is the Impact of Bullying?

Bullying impacts both the victim and onlookers. It threatens “teamwork, morale, communication, and, most importantly, patient safety,” says American Nurse. Bullying creates a toxic work environment and may cause stress-related health issues, unsafe working conditions, absenteeism, burnout, and high staff turnover, according to The Source.

“Nurses eat their young” refers to the hazing of new nurses by older, more experienced nurses, but nurses of all ages and experience levels can be affected by bullying behavior. Bullies often lack self-confidence and self-esteem, and they may feel incompetent, so even a confident, experienced nurse may become a target.

How Can I Stop Bullying?

There are multiple ways to stop and prevent bullying. Here are just a few:

• Tell the bully to stop. If you feel safe, talk to the person. Bullies don’t usually expect people to stand up to them. Sometimes, they don’t realize their behavior is damaging.
• Talk to someone you trust. If the bully is a co-worker, start with your manager. If it is your manager, go through the chain of command or reach out to human resources. Provide specific examples and documentation.
• Stand up and speak out. Stop rumors, defend your colleagues, and offer support. Staying quiet is being complicit, notes Nurse.org.
• Suggest education or workshops. Look for ways to create a positive work environment. Perhaps suggest educational sessions related to bullying or discussions about emotional intelligence, effective communication, or conflict management.

How Can a BSN Help?

Nurses need education beyond clinical skills — leadership, conflict resolution, communication, and problem-solving are all helpful when combating bullying. Additionally, creating a positive work culture and changing your facility’s policies can be easier if you are in a position of authority (charge nurse, supervisor/manager, etc.). A BSN program prepares you to assume these leadership positions.

Every nurse, especially leaders, must learn how to deal with disruptive behavior to create a positive, professional workplace.

Are you being bullied? Do you see bullying at your workplace? The American Nurses Association (ANA) says, “All registered nurses and employers in all settings, including practice, academia, and research, must collaborate to create a culture of respect, free of incivility, bullying, and workplace violence.” While your employer may provide support when it comes to bullying, it is up to you to take action against bullying. Arm yourself to stop the cycle of nurse bullying.

Learn more about the University of Maine at Fort Kent’s online RN to BSN program.

Sources:

• ICD-10 Monitor: The Side Effects of Workplace Bullying in Healthcare
• Health Workforce Institute: Are You a Target, Witness, or Bully at Work?
• Workplace Bullying Institute
• Healthy Workforce Institute: How Bullies Use Triangulation as a Weapon in the Workplace
• American Nurse: Not Just “Eating Our Young”: Workplace Bullying Strikes Experienced Nurses, Too
• The Source: Taking a Stand Against Bullying
• Nurse.org: Nurse Bullying: Stand up and Speak Out
• NCBI: Nurse Managers’ Emotional Intelligence and Effective Leadership: A Review of Current Evidence
• Oncology Nursing News: Lateral Violence in Nursing Can Take Many Forms
• American Nurses Association: Incivility, Bullying, and Workplace Violence
• Watson, J. (January 2020) Email interview