Bullying in the Workplace

You have heard it said that "Nurses eat their young", and you may actually have been on the receiving end of that. How can you respond if you are bullied at work? How do you know if you are bullied? How do you know if you ARE the bully? Nurses Announcements Archive Article

You are reading page 3 of Bullying in the Workplace

everyday6/12

34 Posts

Specializes in Psyche RN.

Yes this is familiar territory as I was bullied in Nursing school. The main instructor appeared to enjoy terrorizing new students and putting the fear into us because she knew we all wanted to pass. Consequently she was training another RN to be an instructor and told her to treat us this way also or she'd be in trouble too. I was given multiple lashings in front of my colleagues , in front of my patients ( my patients were appalled and apologized to me), in front of the other instructors and not one person ever did anything about it except my second quarter teacher.. My second quarter teacher told me to go to the DON and tell her about the harassment. So one day I was outside the office of the DON, and I heard the DON and the instructor laughing about all this **** they give the students. Very sadistic, I thought to myself. I left the office so I would not be seen and later went back to the office. I approached the DON and said to her, " What do you think about an instructor that tells a student that has waited 2 plus years to get into Nursing school and in her very first quarter of her nursing career, her instructor says to her, " No one will hire you". : what do you think of that ? ...I said to the DON. Her mouth dropped in disbelief and she said to me, " We are not here to harass you, but only to make you safe". I said back to her I am all about being safe but not to be treated with such disrespect and to remove the write up for communication, which was unfair and uncalled for. Later in that quarter whenever I saw that instructor, she ignored me and would not make eyes contact with me whatsoever. I believe that she was reprimanded and told to stay away from me as they feared that I was articulate enough and smart enough to start a law suit. They left me alone after that...........But I will never ever forget the unfairness, the abuse, the favoritism of other students, the plain bull shi... that took place. This instructor was consequently loathed in her work place. Many of the RN's on the floor where we did out rotation hated her and apologized to us "the students" that we had to deal with her. In the end, I know why it is important to sit up straight and listen, and be very alert and on your game for Nursing, but bullying and harassment will never ever be professional, appropriate, acceptable, ever ever ever..........!! And by the way , I was hired . Right out of school as a matter of fact, and have never experienced bullying as a new nurse never. The staff that I work with was nothing but supportive and kind. Absolute antithesis of my school that I graduated from. So sad in retrospect..............I barely want to go to my graduation. Just so unecessary to bully people like that.

angiewdm

15 Posts

Specializes in ID/DD, CM, UM.

I experienced bullying at my first nursing job on a cardiac floor. It was awful. I tried to report it to my supervisor, but ultimately had to leave because nothing was done about it and I was MISERABLE. I have made it a point, in my nursing career and life, to treat people with respect, explain things and be patient; new nurses, experienced nurses, doctors, CNAs, everyone. In turn, my CNAs had my back--they are our eyes and ears. The biggest compliment I received was that they told me later on it was appreciated they could come to me if there was an issue, and not feel stupid about it. I appreciated that, but was also sad because it should ALWAYS be like that. Under-reporting = possible patient issues. We are all in this together!

RNintheBay

18 Posts

Years ago, as I new grad I was let go from my first job because the manager felt I didn't have the knowledge and ability working in the department. I followed protocols, worked as team, and always tried my best which did not make sense. I find out weeks later, the manager's friend wanted her brother for the job and wanted me out to make room for him so it was best to let me go before end of probation! A few years later, I encounter working with administrators who cover up possible criminal investigations and other serious patient injuries. I would get bullied for doing the right thing and questioning the ethics of practices that were not right. Other staff would be required to misplace or coverup reports, facts, etc. In the end, the organization is in a media known investigation for poor practices and many talented staff have jumped ship to save their careers! I have left too and do not regret it. We all have difficult times in the world of health care, however we don't have to take ongoing abuse/bullying. We may not understand others actions, we only have control of our own.