Lateral violence

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Specializes in CVICU, ER.

Has anyone here had a successful outcome when it comes to stopping lateral violence in the ED amongst nurses? There's a big problem where I work now, the management is turning a blind eye, and HR doesn't have any policies in place. I've tried talking to them one on one, (there's three of them), but it doesn't go anywhere. I'm not the only one who's having problems, I've heard complaints from other nurses as well. These three "bullies": withhold information to certain people, make snide comments, interrogate during reports and make negative comments, and, of course, gossip nurses into the ground.

Any help appreciated!

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

I would give the manager another chance with a factual event with witnesses and if he/she doesn't act appropriately I would go to the director, HR would be a last resort for me. Another thing to remember is that management does not and sometimes cannot report back to the complainer the steps they have taken so it may seem they have done nothing but the staff member could be in corrective action. What doesn't work for leadership are general complaints, we need specifics and witnesses help to build a case. I don't think a manager would want this kind of behavior in their department. I had a group of ED techs in one department I worked in and we called them the "mean girls" because they liked to challenge nurses and were really difficult to their pears (especially new staff). We wrote them up when necessary and called them out in real time when possible. We also would schedule them apart so they couldn't band together at any one time. We were lucky enough that the worst offender finished RN school and we did NOT hire her back. The behavior fizzled out and the issue was resolved by the time I left. Unfortunately being mean is a difficult behavior to change overnight but with persistence it can be purged--don't give up!

Good luck!

Larry

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I believe the ENA has a lateral violence packet that can be downloaded. Perhaps consider implementing this in your workplace?

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