Nurses that Create a Hostile Work Environment

[wendmill]

I am considering a project which investigates/spotlights those behaviors of some Nurses, that create an antagonistic environment. I am hoping to hear what others have experienced and if/how it was resolved. Is anyone interested in sharing their history with me? I have found this to be the worst part of my (otherwise wonderful) 20 year nursing career. That being said, I feel compelled to write a dissertation, of sorts by gathering information, sharing experiences and hopefully discover an understanding or constructive means in which our fellow nurses can find resolution. Thank you.

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

I have experienced bullying as a new grad but it was based on a LPN who was jealous of me because I was an RN. Totally ridiculous as I had nothing to do with her failure or inability to become an RN. I wasn't holding her back!

I think bullying happens everywhere and it starts from childhood. What do you think the childhood bullies do when they grow up? Most of them continue on as before and just move it into the workplace!

That said, it does seem like management looks the other way and lets bullying occur. Heck it starts from the top down and since it is commonplace in many hospitals to use force (mandation) and intimiditation to control their workers, is it really any surprise bullying occurs. If its acceptable to treat your employees that way than I guess its felt to be acceptable to treat each other that way. Very sad!

I outlived the bully who never did become an RN after almost 20 years. Working 12 hr shifts has made work more bearable, your not dealing with cliques or politics and your only there 3 days a week not 5!

[wendmill]

Dear fellow Nurses:

I feel I neglected to mention how much I appreciate all of you opening up your hearts and(perhaps) old or new wounds and sharing them with all of us. Please know that I am reading each and every comment and am so grateful to be attached to an occupation that has an abundance of intelligent and passionate people. I find that I am laughing/shaking my head and remembering similar situations that have been mentioned. I do hope you will encourage your friends and co-workers to tell us their thoughts on this subject. I would also be interested in hearing from people-that perhaps have been one of those Nurses that have been brought to task(or accused) of harrassing or bullying a co-worker. DO you all think there are certain people that are targeted? Once again, thank you for your discussion. Happy Thanksgiving. wendmill

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

I have witnessed countless episodes of bullying in the workplace, but one event really stands out in my mind:

I overheard a nurse speaking very inappropriately and very harshly to a pt. Another nurse was standing beside me and heard the same thing. We both looked at each other, slack jawed. We both heard the same thing and were both very concerned for the pt, who was crying hysterically when the nurse left the room.

I went to my NM and discussed what had happened. She asked me to fill out an incident report, which I did. The other nurse who overheard this disgraceful and wretched spewing was called into the NM office to discuss the issue. She absolutely refused to become involved, stating that she was fearful of the repercussions she may experience from the offending nurse.

I didn't blame her. The offending nurse was clearly unbalanced, and I even wondered myself if I was going to walk out to my car at the end of the shift with slashed tires.

Bullying is a REAL dilemma. I see managers repeatedly turn a blind eye to this sort of behavior, citing that they "just don't have time" to address it.

I applaud you for focusing on bullying. I think that it is an everyday occurrence, and furthermore believe that the "elephant in the room" should be recognized as a hindrance to safe working conditions.

[wendmill]

Thank you so much for sharing. It isn't easy to spill our guts. I have thoughts/memories that can still bring me to tears. I hate the helplessness that one can experience, especially with poor management/leadership.Every episode or experience shared can ellucidate and define the problem a bit more clearly; and hopefully develop a resolve or plan. It tears at my heartstrings to think of a patient brought to tears because of some commentary or hurtful discussion between nurses. I hope through our discussion/blog/encouragement, we can help those Nurses that have felt the spears, to feel a little more empowered. Ultimately, the education needs to take place at management level. We need a buy in. One problem I have noted is that many people in management are or have been the type of Nurse we are discussing. Thoughts?

[whereslilly]

@wendmill If what you are saying is that the bullying type rises to the level of management, (as they often do); you ask why and how? Break it down to the most basic nature of bullying. A bully can only feel powerful if at least one or more allows her. Then there has to be the weak, different, or lower level person to bully. If those around the "Bully" sanction the abuse, the victim is made weaker and eventually eliminated. Thus, the "Bully" is strengthened. Thus the rise in power. If the coworkers of the Bully would intervene they have the power to render her powerless.

[wendmill]

Wheresilly:

I could not agree with you more. On a most basic level, I have this dream that Nurses would obrserve and react with the disgust they would have, if someone just lit up a smoke inside the hospital. I know it goes beyond that. There needs to be an investment and people in management or leadership positions that find this to be an important issue and address it, each and every time.

[Guest717236]

I have found that in medical environments where the RNs are modeling professional nursing behavior ( focused on caring for their patients and not soap opera dramatic sabotaging of other nurses or staff) are best for the patients who is the reason we are all working there together in the first place. Mandating kindness is not the issue to me as requiring respect. Personalities vary, but having respect as a constant improves the working environment.

The best teams I have worked with gave each RN the respect they deserved for their past professional experiences and encouraged professional growth. Life is never perfect and yes, there were a few dysfunctional family moments (staff, not patients lol) but there were few.

If you are focused on giving each patient your best care, and improving your practice, it leaves little time for staff dysfunctional playtime.

Having adequate staffing is a sign of respect from management that they value the care that patients will receive in spite of cost. However, if management sees nurses abusing the adequate staffing by constant conflict, there goes the adequate staffing. Sometimes in nursing, we create our own problems...

[Guest717236]

wendmill said:

One problem I have noted is that many people in management are or have been the type of Nurse we are discussing. Thoughts?

Absolutely............you focused in on one of the major problems...

[wendmill]

The practice of advancing or grooming a Nurse for managerial duties; knowing there is an inclination (or history) to undermine or bully co-workers continues to be pervasive.

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

Can't wait to have some extra time so I can write to you! Great topic choice, I should be able to sharesome stories next week or so, as I am swamped with family, work, and school!

[wendmill]

Thanks 9lives-looking forward to your observation, input/experiences. Happy Thanksgiving.

[wendmill]

Thank you. Will do!