Nurses being victims of workplace bullys.

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  1. Why do Nurses let themselves be victims of bullys?

    • 7
      Because Nurses, in general, are co-dependent.
    • 11
      Nurses, in general, want to be liked by everyone.
    • 9
      Nurses are, in general, uncomfortable with conflict and anger
    • 10
      Because Nurses, in general, lack assertiveness skills.
    • 15
      Because Nurses, in general, don't want to "rock the boat."
    • 7
      Because Nurses, in general, still buy into the Florence Nightengale mentality.
    • 5
      Nurses, in general would rather deny problems, not confront them.
    • 15
      Because Nurses, in general, want everybody to "get along."
    • 3
      Because Nurses, in general, are women who let themselves be "door mats."
    • 4
      In general, Nurses have low self-esteem.

86 members have participated

I am increasingly amazed at how Nurses let themselves be victims of workplace bullys and let themselves be harassed and treated disrespectfully. I would like to find out the possible causes of this, so here is a poll...please participate. Ad other possible causes if you like. Please participate so we can begin to find sollutions to end this vicious cycle in our profession. Thanks.

sasskrn...didn't any of the non-managers step in??? this was going on for 8 years??? that is truly pathetic. I am sure staff and pt's wellbeing was compromised. Why didn't anyone do anything about this???

And Angie...I hope others read your words of wisdom. great stuff u write. Really.

Absolutely nothing was done. It is, of course, a tense situation that everyone is trying to keep under wraps. One of the nurses who has worked with these women since the beginning was telling me some of the details. The entire unit has been affected. After the actual physical confrontation took place, the manager took a vacation. The other staff are horrified at the lack of response from management. It's a medical/pediatric ICU. It's bad enough that adults have to witness that, but kids too? I'm sure it helps the public image of nursing.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Stevie; Research has shown that the Healthcare Industry is the #1 place where you find workplace bullys. Education is the second. Its interesting to me that in both these fields, people who get into them are people who have an interest in helping someone.

Can you link me to that research? I mean this in an earnest way. I am interested to read up on this and perhaps get some insight as to why this is. And why some of seem able to overcome it. Thank you.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Stevie; Research has shown that the Healthcare Industry is the #1 place where you find workplace bullys. Education is the second. Its interesting to me that in both these fields, people who get into them are people who have an interest in helping someone.

Can you link me to that research? I mean this in an earnest way. I am interested to read up on this and perhaps get some insight as to why this is. And why some of seem able to overcome it. Thank you.

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So are you going to only address those who are bullied then? how about the solutions? Do you have any special links or books to recommend? I have a few if anyone is interested....

Hi Deb!

I think having those of us who have been treated badly in the past and learned not to put up with it would be great assets.

I was "bullied" when I worked for a supplier of van parts when I was about 20.

Van parts. :chuckle

There are bullies everywhere. The problem is teaching our kids and others how not to put up with it. There is a line between respecting your elders and your bosses and your co-workers and allowing abusive behavior.

More classes at work - we do that already. We also have great managers who do not put up with, for a second, bullies.

steph

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So are you going to only address those who are bullied then? how about the solutions? Do you have any special links or books to recommend? I have a few if anyone is interested....

Hi Deb!

I think having those of us who have been treated badly in the past and learned not to put up with it would be great assets.

I was "bullied" when I worked for a supplier of van parts when I was about 20.

Van parts. :chuckle

There are bullies everywhere. The problem is teaching our kids and others how not to put up with it. There is a line between respecting your elders and your bosses and your co-workers and allowing abusive behavior.

More classes at work - we do that already. We also have great managers who do not put up with, for a second, bullies.

steph

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

That is horrible sask. Just horrible.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

That is horrible sask. Just horrible.

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That is horrible sask. Just horrible.

I know. At first, I thought it was just a sick joke, but unfortunately it's true. What is the world coming to?

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That is horrible sask. Just horrible.

I know. At first, I thought it was just a sick joke, but unfortunately it's true. What is the world coming to?

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I wish I knew. Unfortunately, gentility and reasonable behavior are harder to find in our society. I wish I could put my finger on blame. I think there are many reasons. Kinda like road rage.....a real epidemic and lack of civility that is both dangerous and distasteful. I am embarassed nurses would behave this way at all, especially at work.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I wish I knew. Unfortunately, gentility and reasonable behavior are harder to find in our society. I wish I could put my finger on blame. I think there are many reasons. Kinda like road rage.....a real epidemic and lack of civility that is both dangerous and distasteful. I am embarassed nurses would behave this way at all, especially at work.

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Can you link me to that research? I mean this in an earnest way. I am interested to read up on this and perhaps get some insight as to why this is. And why some of seem able to overcome it. Thank you.
i would have to search...but I believe I got it from bully.org.
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