Bullying in nursing, common or not?

Wuzzie · Aug 24, 2018

If you put "bullying" into the search bar you will find more threads than you can imagine about this hot topic. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and settle in.

GBC_Student, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2018

I've only worked in two different organizations as a nurse but at 100% of my jobs I've either been on the receiving end of bullying or seen it.

From my experience nurses bully because they either think they're going to toughen you up because they believe that because they were bullied at the beginning of their careers and they think that because this is what's needed to prepare young nurses for a difficult job or because they see new nurse as young and afraid and that's how they felt when they started their careers and they hate seeing their prior selves in other people.

Dont let the fear bullying keep you out of the profession. There's lots of reasons not to become nurse but the worry of being bullied shouldn't be one of them. Most of these nurse bullies are cowards and the second you stand up to them they back off and leave you alone. I do believe the truth is that some nurses start to feel stuck and abused and under appropriated and they take out those feelings on people that they see as weak.

Nursing is a tough job, but if you can go in with your eyes open and have realistic expectations about what you can accomplish then I say go for it and see if it's a job you like.

mtmkjr, BSN · Aug 24, 2018

I don't know if I'd call it "bullying" but unkind people and people who mistreat their co-workers exist in every single field.

RainMom · Aug 24, 2018

I've personally never experienced it or seen it. None of my former classmates that I stay in touch with have ever reported it when we vent about job frustrations.

Are some coworkers less than a bright ray of sunshine? Yep, almost perpetually. Everybody has crap shifts & can be snippy at times. Not everyone wants to be best buds. Just do the best job you can & be able to recognize constructive criticism for what it is.

Nurses are no different than any other group of workers. Incidences of bullying are no more prevalent within this profession than any other.

Rahvin1 · Aug 25, 2018

I'm gonna share my experience of being a nursing student in an accelerated program, particularly as a male which I assume by your male avatar you are, or identify as a male.

There is a saying that "nurses eat their young" which refers to "bullying" in the profession mostly as it relates to experienced nurses and students or especially new grads. It definitely exists and I think it's a combination of generational differences and the need for experienced nurses to ensure that you know what you're doing as a new nurse. Sometimes it goes beyond just vetting your knowledge, skills and personality though and can lead to discrimination and harassment. I personally have never experienced this although Inknow people who have.

I will say that in an accelerated program you may be treated differently by profs and instructors than as a kid fresh out of high school. And this can also extend to practice. Many people in these programs are much more mature and have many more life experiences than your average 18-22 year old. Many have spouses, kids, previous degrees and often complete previous careers. Usually people who are high achieving and very driven toward their studies and knowledge and improving themselves. They have enough maturity to understand the impact their actions and behaviours can have on peoples lives and the gravity of being responsible to individuals and their families. I strongly believe this is respected by experienced nurses/instructors and may cut down on the bullying you could face. I've witnessed this several times throughout my program.

Also, being a guy may help you avoid this a bit as well. From my experience and speaking with male nurses, we experience less bullying than our female counterparts. The majority of nurses are female and women are mean to women. It's a thing. This may be anecdotal or based on a small sample size so take it with a grain of salt but it's been my experience and that of a few others I've spoken to.

Fiona59 · Aug 25, 2018

Bullying exists even in organizations who state they will not tolerate it (along with abuse of their staff, which they permit)

Like the poster above me clearly states women are mean to women. It's true and I've seen it on every unit I've worked on. Usually it's done by senior nurses who feel threatened by newcomers be they internal transfers or fresh, new grads. Management is reluctant to deal with it because the "old girls" stick together and run to the union the minute they feel like discipline is on the horizon.

I've seen aimed at older nurses by young women. They want the older nurse to move on because she has a better rotation or just plain doesn't fit into their idea of who they want to work with

The males that I've worked with are far less likely to be as mean spirited as the women I work with.

When you experience what you feel is bullying document it. Keep records, go to management but in the long run it won't be resolved.

huadoudou · Aug 29, 2018

In my whole nursing school I have been bullied...two clinical teachers and a colleague during pregrad. Same thing happened to some of my classmates. but the majority of my teachers are super nice.

I still strongly believe it's due to their own personal issues in their lives. These people are pathetic, lacking confidence and having some anger issues.

I have learned not to take it personally but I have found that it sometimes negatively influenced my work and potentially patient safety.

There are some people who aren't happy with their lives. They are either greedy or jealous with many reasons.

timmac98 · Aug 30, 2018

Bullying is very common in the nursing field, nurse to nurse, clients/family to nurse, physicians to nurse, that being said, bullying exists in every workplace/field, not just in nursing, there is no way to avoid it, you need to be assertive and stand up for yourself, find a mentor or a colleague that you can discuss your concerns to, stand up for those who are being bullied.

callofduty11, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2019

Just do your job OP. Don't listen to other people. I know other co-workers like to see what you are up to in your job. Some people are just nosey that way. Or if you are new, they just want to get to know you, and that is their way of getting to know you.

Just try to talk to them a little bit, or be friendly. If not, as time goes by, you wouldn't care about their opinions anymore.

Jenna · Sep 11, 2019

On 8/24/2018 at 12:24 PM, ccman18 said:
Hello everyone,
I am a new member here on this website and this is the first time I am posting on here so please bear with me in any mistakes that I make. I have come here to ask a question about bullying in nursing. Does anyone know if this is an issue that is very common or not at all? I would like to point out that the reason why I am asking is because I am planning on enrolling in an accelerated nursing program and with that decision I am about to expend the better part of 50k dollars. I should also note that I am also currently volunteering at a hospital here in Ontario. I feel there are things that the nurses that I work with do not tell me as a hospital volunteer. I would like to know if there are any important things that I need to know and if anyone can provide any kind of insight as to prevalence of bullying in nursing that would be much appreciated.

I believe more nurses need to come forward and not be afraid of losing there jobs for telling the truth this is where the bullying will stop!