Workplace Bullying in Nursing Practice

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Workplace Bullying in Nursing Practice Nursing practice plays a tremendous role in promoting people’s health, preventing diseases, and increasing life expectancy. However, the complexity of the healthcare system yields numerous challenges that affect the life of nurses and other stakeholders. Although nurses are supposed to collaborate with their colleagues at all levels, in some cases, this does not happen. Overwhelming challenges at the workplace negatively impact nurse’s commitment to their work. These challenges also hinder nurse’s ability to deliver appropriate care to the patients. One of the major challenges that contribute to poor nursing practice outcomes is workplace bullying. Bullying is a serious threat to nursing practice since it evokes negative emotions among nurses. It is typified by violence, disrespect, arrogance abuse, and rudeness.

Bullies engage in these acts with the intent of humiliating, offending and causing distress.

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Experience with workplace bullying Workplace bullying is inappropriate behavior that occurs in various forms at all levels of practice. Sometimes bullying is mild and hard to detect whereas in some cases, it leads to physical violence and injury. I have witnessed numerous incidences of workplace bullying over the year. In one incident, a young patient was in so much pain she needed a lift sheet. However, the lift sheets were insufficient and the charge nurse decided that the patient could do without one. However, the receiving nurse instructed the certified nurse assistant to put the lift sheet back on. The charge nurse was infuriated and ordered the lift sheet to be removed and put on laundry.

The charge nurse reminded the CNA that she had to follow orders from her alone not anyone else. This incident created distress and anger among other nurses. The CNA, in particular, was distressed since she interacted with other nurses and there was no way she had to wait for orders from the charge nurse alone.

Strategies to break the cycle of incivility All acts of aggression, whether verbal or physical, are unacceptable. The fact that they contribute to distress, negative emotions, and decreased nurses’ productivity indicates the need to implement practical preventive measures. The ANA (2021) clarifies that healthcare leaders must ensure that nurses are protected from all forms of bullying. The best strategy to address workplace bullying in nursing practice is establishing supportive nursing leadership. Competent nurse leaders are vital to creating a supportive workplace environment (Murray, 2017). Leaders monitor the work environment to identify potential triggers of bullying and violence.

Importantly, leaders can influence the followers’ behavior by inculcating a culture of respect and collaboration.

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Creating a culture of inclusivity can also help resolve workplace bullying. Inclusivity is essential for instilling a sense of ownership among nurses. This culture ensures that all professionals are actively involved in the decision-making process (Murray, 2017). Individual nurses are given a chance to highlight issues affecting organizational productivity and recommend effective resolutions. This culture helps nurses to uphold respect for their colleagues and their opinions during practice.

Nurse education can also help eradicate incidences of bullying at the workplace. Nurse leaders can train other nurses in self-defense and de-escalation tactics (Bambi et al., 2017).

Education helps to increase awareness among nurses of the main triggers of workplace bullying and how to avoid them Conclusion Bullying in nursing practice is unwarranted since it contributes to distress and anxiety among nurses besides decreasing productivity and patient safety. Bullied nurses experience challenges in trusting and positively interacting with colleagues. Nurse education, creating a culture of inclusivity, and establishing a competent leadership platform are practical strategies to eradicate bullying at the workplace effectively.

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References American Nurses Association (ANA) (2021). Violence, Incivility, & Bullying. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/work-environment/violence-incivilitybullying/ Bambi, S., Guazzini, A., De Felippis, C., Lucchini, A., & Rasero, L. (2017). Preventing workplace incivility, lateral violence, and bullying between nurses. Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis, 88(5S), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v88i5-S.6838 Murray, E. (2017). Nursing leadership and management: for patient safety and quality care. FA Davis.