!!    What's a nurse to do??? First of all, to each of you who have the opportunity and take the time to read this, "THANK YOU."

The decision to pursue nursing (professional or vocational) are vast, encompassing a wide spectrum of people from all "walks of life."

Thankfully so, for the nursing profession is dependent on this "spectrum of folks," to fulfill the "MANY" nursing positions required to just

"break even" in this complex, ever changing health care system.  Yet, despite the continual onslaught of negative comments directed at

"our ( the U.S., mostly by its own citizens)" method of  caring for the "ill" of our nation,"  the United States of  America continues

to have then "greatest healthcare system" in the world. Just ask those who travel over and through incredible obstacles to to have

a "chance" at fighting what to "us" can be very routine, but to those in other countries may well be life threatening, and on and on

But is there anywhere else you would pursue care??

With this being said, nurses are in an amazing position to make a difference in the future of "healthcare," for those who follow (i.e.

our kids, grandkids, etc), handing to them a better system than the one we were "handed." Unless, you are one of the unfortunate

nurses whose career is hit "HEAD ON" by an unmistakeable force known as a  "BULLY" posing as a nurse. By the time this force

is fully recognized for the true "evil" it is, not only has an insurmountable amount of damage occurred to the nurse's career, but the

injustice placed on our patients by those bound by their license to protect them is despicable. Seldom is this even mentioned by

those "nurse experts" in the field of nurse bullying. 

Over the last two years, (believe me, not of my choosing), I have become an expert on the most unfortunate, heartbreaking and

"frontlineof care damaging," force which is well hidden and denied in an "administrative effort" to shield its true and FAR reaching

implications. Great efforts have been made by the "powers to be (ANA, State Nursing Associations, etc. I have proof supporting

such) to keep the "secret" of "BULLYING," well hidden, denied, finally discussing it only using terms designed to "muffle" its real

meaning.The use of the "muffled down terms, of Incivility, Lateral Violence, Hostile Environment," to describe "bullying among

nurses," sound more like a "misunderstanding among friends," than the true destructive, dividing, demeaning, and the absolutely

deplorable "acts of evil," carried out against their "own." Carrying devstating consequuences ( for the nurse "target," often for the

remainder of her career, if not terminated by the bully), with far reaching implications than just the "nurse target" ( who may be the

last to know of the plot is against her, she is too busy doing her job).  Anyone who is still reading along with me, having

experienced "the life of a target," know all to well what these implications are...who is affected...and how they are affected, but the

"WHY," may not be known.  

But, we CANNOT get stuck on the "WHY," or "THEY," win. It is just that simple. Not being able to speak for all "targets of nurse

bullying," however, everything I have read, over time, from multiple sources all agree; "targets of nurse to nurse, nurse manager to

staff nurse , etc.agree on one finding. Overwhelmingly, targets of nurse bullying have characteristics of ( represents only a few):

1)-stable careers, often working in same job for many years

2)- high perfomers, with excellent performance evaluations, until all of the sudden following a change in staffing, managers etc.

3)-PATIENT ADVOCATES, with many favorable patient comments

4)-gets along WELL with their colleagues, physicians, co-workers, until "Bully shows up."  Many more exist, however the

message in just a few, must be acted on...by us the "targets," as I am absolutely convinced that united, as some of the

professions "best," we can move forward, exposing this heart-breaking trend that has infiltrated our beloved profession. Knowing it

will NOT be easy, many "good" nurses have become cynical, as a result of the "bully experience," I get that, every bit of it...

However, just as many of you, I cannot forget working two jobs as a single mother at 19, attending then working as a LVN, while

going to RN school on scholarships, grants, and loans. Becoming, then working as a RN was everything, because very early on,

knowing I had found much more than a job, it was truly my "calling," confirming the strong role of my (personal) faith, which is

even stronger now. Believing there is a "reason" for this test of faith, and it has been a tough one, but work as a nurse is far from

"over," for this "Nurse No Matter What."  Without question, one of the most motivating factors to stay the course of justice (and I

have already begun the work with involvement in several activities, but I am open to any and all suggestions to further the word),

is for the dear patients, as they deserve nothing less. Just because a Nurse Bully removed me from a job I loved of 14 years, does

not mean I abandon the ship, letting THEM win....

Finally, the future of the nursing profession can only be saved from itself, by the many "good nurses," who continue to go to work

everyday, along with those seeking to find their "place" after termination from an "out of control bullying situation," that seemed to

come out of nowhere, changing their life forever. However, these nurses carry a powerful message, and one that can be a powerful

tool of change and awareness in a " bullying movement," many think just affects "women and their secrets..." Anyone that has

lived through such as the "target" can tell you just how far "reaching" their own situation was. Affected in addition to the "target" of

the bullying ( when nurse target is suddenly separated from her job of 10 + years) are her patients, co-workers of many years,

physicians, and multiple others she interacts with, wondering, "what happened?" These nurse can be a part of the changes vital

to stopping this movement, through "anti-bullying legislation, finally an anti-bullying law holding Bullies accountable, while

protecting employers from disciplining such offenders, and sending a clear message to those who offend...There is NO place in

the nursing world, for " the evils of bullying,"  where life and death literally hangs in the balance on a daily basis.

Thank you, to those still working as a nurse, coming home each day, exhausted, but knowing they made someone's life better

that day, just because they were there. No better feeling exists in a nurse's heart and soul than just such, not to mention all the

priceless gits patients "give us," unknown to them, but that is another subject! 

Thank you for your time and attention, and God Bless you each in the work you do in the most honorable of professions.

The Best,

Ballerina 1024

Texas