Tutly

I think you're all fooling yourselves. Yes - workplace bullying is illegal etc etc, but I've also been around long enough to know that very little is successfully done about it, regardless of all the rhetoric about help being available.The reason for that is that most workplace bullying is enacted in intangible ways with very few witnesses, and I hate to remind you of this people, but nurses are not known for their loyalty to each other. It's all the little things that add up to make workplace bullying and most of it is insidious, hence the victim often becomes the offender by making accusations that are difficult for management to follow up. Another thing is that the bullies are usually people who know their system inside and out, and they cover their tracks very well, in this regard, it's very hard to discipline them without them crying harrassment themselves. You can all get up in arms about my comments if you want, but I've actually worked on reform programs in the public sector in relation to this, and been extensively involved with the Indistrial Relations Commisssion of NSW, examining these very issues. The problem is often with management being too gutless to tackle a bully head on and confront actions that are difficult to prove. How many times do you hear someone say "oh don't worry - she's like that all the time, or "she's like that with everyone". It is these things about nursing that need to change. It seems every employment situation have staff that are problems, yet everyone tip-toes around them and walks on egg-shells. They seem to have everyone under their intimidating spell. And that's my point - until everyone sticks together on the issue and actually makes a formal complaint, very little will be done. And believe me, making a formal complaint brings it's own consequences. If you truly believe that by doing so, you will have the support of your colleagues and they would be happy to put their signatures on paper, and you won't be isolated for it, go for it. But that's where the rhetoric gets tested folks. Nurses need to be loyal and supportive of each other, rather than being so harsh and critical in a workplace environment that is already under a huge amount of pressure.

Hi there - I read your message and couldn't help feeling empathy. I think the horizontal violence in this regard begins before graduation in many cases. I'm currently 2nd year and have already come across it, getting a mouthful about 'uni-trained nurses' being a hopeless waste of time on my very first prac. It's a damn shame is all I can say, and you're not alone in experiencing it. As for why it happens, well, until nurses start taking a good look at themselves and viewing themselves as professionals, I don't know if it will improve. Do they realise we look up to them? Do they realise we're usually in awe of their abilities and knowledge and wonder when it will ever come together for us? Qualified and experienced RN's are the lifeline between the theory overload of uni and actual practice - it is the RN's who fill the gap when we graduate. And there are a lot of lovely educators out there who are willing to take us on and patiently teach us. I say educators because I find that some just 'teach' whilst others take the time to really educate. I guess eventually, most of the 'old-school' difficult ones will retire and we will be nursing's future. At least by that point nursing will be provided by people who have made a conscious choice to pay for the quality education of their chosen vocation, instead of people who've ended up being a nurse just because years ago there weren't many other options. We've made the choice to do our degree, knowing full well we won't be completely prepared for the ward when we register, but we're keen and enthusiastic and we want to be here. We'll also have a massive HECS debt that we'll earn little to help pay off, but we'll love what we do, and at some point, there will be more of us 'new-school' than there will be of the 'old-school' grumpies. Hang in there - a couple of years experience in the thick of things and you'll find your groove. You're paving the way for all those coming behind you, so don't be intimidated, we need you not to be - you'll be educating students in a few years time.

Thank you ladies (or gentlemen!!) - that's exactly the kind of advice we need. And you guys seem to be the kind of mentors we need. It's much appreciated.

Thanks for the response - I think I'm slowly getting the study thing organised. My fear is the same as Jellibum's - how do we fit in when we are actually postgrads. What are the things a postgrad should never do? C'mon you guys - we know you talk about it all the time, we get the comments already.....help us out here, we want you to like us....

Hello - I'm currently half-way through first year with SCU and my goal is to be a nurse that people look forward to working with. I don't want to be a graduate that established RN's think 'Oh gosh, do we have to work with her??" With MACP's coming up - do you experienced nurses have any suggestions for us to start with good habits that we can hone throughout our next semesters?