Nurse Bashing

I've read a few journal articles on what you are referring to when after my first year as an RN I thought I was going crazy with all the rumors, backstabbing, and out&out meaness of the nurses I worked with. The journals basically referr to horizontal hostility as a coping mechanism(not a good one)of nurses who are on a lower end of a system of hierarchy (sp?) I agree it should be addressed especially in nursing school so new nurses aren't discouraged and know how to protect themselves from these people who can be quite vicious.

You most likely know the answer if you are among the group that "bashes other nurses." I bet you have some thoughts and ideas why this happens. Just to clarify for a moment? We are talking about the work place and not some of the conversations on this site. Many of the people on this site post thoughts and points that they may not even consider outside of this environment. This is kind of like lab where we are safe to perform mad scientist experiments. I would not take anything said in these forums to heart. Some of us may not even agree with what we post; however, we may take on a counter argument for the sake of good discussion.

I think you will find bullies on all walks of life provided humans and some animals are involved. I also find people who may not normally bully will fall under peer pressure and you can see how easily people start to gang up on the odd man out.

You simply cannot stand for this. If a nurse is a nucklehead and kills patients, send the nurse packing. No need to go to the level of some of the lowest human beings of known history. Call people out on bad behavior. A strong, aggressive, and unbending attitude toward many bullies will shut them down. Sometimes, you need to involve people echelons above your pay grade. Sometimes, the environment is so bad, you simply need to cut your losses and get out.

As far as friends at work: I do not associate with many of my coworkers outside of the office. I do not see this as a problem, as we are professionals on the job and should strive to act as such. This includes having your coworker's back if the are in the right. It also means taking proper action when they are in the wrong. Both are difficult to do and neither involve friendsip or even liking the person. You simply act the professional regardless.

I began an inquiry along this line too. I have been a nurse for 3+decades and have noticed this consistently in almost all the agencies where I worked. Perhaps the culture of nursing needs to be looked at. In some units I've worked, it felt like a dysfunctional family. Poor management, peer or doctor-nurse relations are often why a nurse moves on. Are there any CEU confernces on this? I have a theory. Besides employers skimping on the part of the budget which supports, validates and thanks nurses----we are perhaps not as good at taking care of ourselves as we are at taking care of our patients. Still, what is with turning it on one another? I have nurse collegues who say they never develop nurse friendships to hang out with outside work.