sia980

Nursing is an applied science. People can be taught all kinds of things and be actually quite bright and still lack the ability to apply what they know. Some of the best places to work have clear guidelines, foster an environment of acceptance, regularly update and educate their employees, and focus on how to get the work done. Places that focus on "personalities" usually lack an organizational framework and can become a real snake pit.

I also have witnessed the clique effect as described by brandy1017, sometimes with the goal of getting a job for a friend. With a bad economy and limited nursing jobs, there seems to be an increase in drama and back biting, all of which have nothing to do with the work at hand.

I have been a nurse for over 25 years and it wasn't until I started working in clinics that I noticed bullying, mostly of the covert type. I had one manager who even commented that a long term employee, ran other nurses out. This goes back to a work place culture that not only tolerates bullying but reinforces it. There are no 'innocent bystanders' and the best way to deal with these toxic workplaces is to leave.