Resources >> Browse Articles >> On the Job
How to Handle Bullies in Nursing
Featured Author:
Marijke Durning, RN
Marijke Vroomen-Durning has been an RN since 1983 and although she has been writing since the mid-90s, she continued to work clinically until last year. Her passion is patient education and helping the general public understand the medical world by translating medicalese into real-life language. Marijke’s popular blog, Marijke: Nurse Turned Writer has been the catalyst for her career as she now claims the number one spot in Google searches if you type in “Nurse writer.”
More articles from this author:
Marijke Durning | NursingLink
Did you know that bullying affects at least half of the American workforce? According to a study published in 2010, back in 2007, 35% of workers in the U.S. reported having been bullied, while another 15% witnessed workplace bullying. That’s half the American workforce who admitted to experiencing or witnessing bullying behaviors.
Bullying goes beyond the playground; it’s more than just a childhood trauma. Bullying, or lateral violence, is a major issue in nursing.
Do any of these situations sound familiar to you?
• A nurse is giving report and a coworker is constantly interrupting with sarcastic comments about the care he has given during his shift.
• A nurse frequently belittles another nurse with condescending comments or demeaning language.
• A charge nurse consistently divides the patient load unfairly, giving the heaviest case loads or unpleasant patients, to one particular nurse.
If any of these situations ring a bell, you have identified bullying of nurses by other nurses. Just read any nursing forum and you’ll see plenty of discussions about “nurses eating their young.” According to the same 2010 study, when women are the bullies, 80% of the time their targets are other women. In a female-dominated profession like nursing, that’s a big impact.
TheNerdyNurse
almost 2 years ago
12 comments
lateral violence is why I began blogging and is a huge barrier to the advancement of the nursing profession
mariacstro
about 2 years ago
2 comments
Chaotick, lol. I too experienced this. I loved my job. Nursing is my passion but unfortunately I ended up quitting that job. I couldn't take it anymore. I don't understand ppl. I always welcomed the newbies and helped them adjust. So anyway, I'm pretty ill find something better. ;-)
ChaoticK
about 2 years ago
4 comments
This is why I don't want to be a nurse anymore. I like my coworkers, for the most part, but there seems to be one out of control b-word in every workplace I've attempted and, for whatever reason, I must have a giant bulls-eye on my back that makes them zero in on me. And the 'nice' coworkers don't want to 'get involved' (maybe happy not to be victim of choice). My sanity just isn't worth it.