Workplace bullying

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2014

What has she done that you consider bullying?

twinkerrs · Mar 14, 2014

The only thing you can do is to calmly ask her to have the conversation elsewhere when she has something to correct you about.

I had a bully that was on a totally different shift than me but when she saw my name on the on call list she called me every time she and I finally had it out when one day she called me and we were completely overstuffed above grid. She corrected me in front of everyone and told me I had no right to an opinion. I asked if we could talk somewhere else she refused I walked away was written up for insubordination but she was written up for bullying because there were so many witnesses she could not dispute. In turn on call policy changed also as did new ways to correct and deal with problems.

CrunchRN, ADN, RN · Mar 14, 2014

I would try telling her she is being inappropriate and it is unacceptable. If you can do it in the moment. Basically treat her like an out of control child. Be super calm and reasonable, but stand your ground.

Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2014

People like this often cozy up to their managers and build their own cliques so that they will be in a good position to be immune from taking responsibility for their behavior, and so it continues.

Two suggestions: Can you go to your scheduler and rearrange your schedule so that you work with this particular charge nurse as little as possible?

Are there instances of where her behavior has had a negative impact on patient safety that you could anonymously report to an appropriate authority?

I agree with the above poster about being assertive with her, but I also understand that these people have well developed habits that have been reinforced for so long that standing up to them is likely to make things worse before they get better (if they get better at all), so be careful here. You may end up painting that target on your back in neon dayglo colors if you make the wrong move.

Sorry. :-(

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 14, 2014

I'm with Esme -- I'd like to know what she's done that you consider to be bullying.

Emergent, RN · Mar 14, 2014

Bullying in nursing is not much different that bullying in Jr High school. The bully makes the victim feel isolated. They develop a clique of supporters who are afraid of being on the outside, or are bullies themselves. They pick on mild mannered people willing to turn the other cheek. I know exactly what the OP is talking about, it's going on in my dept with a night charge nurse and her cronies. They are on the same rotation, they socialize with one another, they basically create a hostile workplace for anyone not in their group.

Recently there was an incident that brought the issue to a head. The manager had complaints previously, but nothing she could sink her teeth into. A couple of us filed formal complaints. The key here is that, I have an excellent, level-headed manager. The charge nurse was called into the office for a long talk and disciplined.

Now, those of us who were affected by this situation are expected to keep our manager abreast of any hint of retaliation by anyone in that group.

The joint commission is serious about this. It affects communication between healthcare workers and affects patient outcomes.

Unfortunately, without management doing its part, it's very difficult to combat this. But, it's in the best interest of all parties to create healthy, professional environments.

Nola009 · Mar 15, 2014

Bullying definitely happens in the semi-profession of nursing. In fact, it goes on so often that terms have been created to describe exactly what you are speaking of: "lateral violence" and "horizontal bullying".

What a shame. Just know that you are not alone in these experiences you are having and that YOU are the best person to assess and decide on a course of action for this problem. Hope things get better for you.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2014

Semi profession of nursing....interesting choice of words. What makes you believe that nursing is not a profession?

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 15, 2014

We still don't know what makes the OP think she was being bullied. I find it interesting that so many posters are jumping in to condemn bullying, but we don't even know for sure what behavior is being condemned. "Yelling at me" and "belittling me" are so vague as to be useless in describing the behavior.

Emergent, RN · Mar 15, 2014

That's true, Ruby, we don't know the specifics of the OP's case. We can't know that without firsthand, on the scene knowledge. But we DO know that bullying DOES exist in nursing. A good manager will investigate and monitor, rather than sweep under the rug.

The original description did sound like it could be a pattern of bullying. We can't determine that from a distance like this. But we CAN discuss workplace bullying and how to address it.

Unfortunately, without management support, it does make it difficult to deal with an entrenched bully.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2014

I think Esme and Ruby are trying to get the OP to respond, because the way the thread is going the OP may feel totally supported and vindicated ... and none of us have the first clue about what really occurred, so that would not be justified.