The phrase "nurses eat their young" has been around for decades
The phrase "nurses eat their young" has been around for decades. The consequences of bullying include nurses reporting poorer mental health, decreased collaboration with team members, ineffective communication, reduced work productivity, and poor job commitment.
1) Do you feel bullying or horizontal violence is an issue in the clinical environment? Why or why not?
2) Discuss how the nurse mentor can promote professional socialization in the workplace.
Sample Solution
Bullying and Horizontal Violence in Nursing
- Yes, bullying and horizontal violence are significant issues in the clinical environment. There's ample evidence to support this claim. Here's why:
- Prevalence: Studies report that 18% to 31% of nurses experience bullying by colleagues [1]. This pervasive issue creates a toxic work environment.
- Consequences: Bullying can lead to negative consequences for both the target and the organization. Nurses who are bullied experience poorer mental health, decreased collaboration, communication issues, reduced productivity, and higher job turnover [2]. This not only harms individual nurses but also strains healthcare systems facing staffing shortages.
- Power Dynamics: Horizontal violence, a specific form of bullying amongst peers, thrives in environments with unclear hierarchies or where new nurses lack adequate support.
- Nurse Mentors Can Promote Professional Socialization: Mentors can play a crucial role in combating bullying and fostering healthy professional socialization:
- Creating a Safe Space: Mentors can provide a safe space for new nurses to voice concerns about bullying or unprofessional behavior. By actively listening and offering support, mentors can empower new nurses to address these issues constructively.
Full Answer Section
- Modeling Professional Behavior: Nurse mentors demonstrate respectful communication, teamwork, and collaboration. This sets a positive example for new nurses and discourages bullying behavior.
- Building Confidence: Mentorship programs can help new nurses build confidence in their skills and abilities. This reduces feelings of vulnerability that can make them targets for bullying.
- Integrating New Nurses into the Team: Mentors can help new nurses build relationships with colleagues, fostering a sense of belonging and reducing isolation. This promotes positive social interactions and discourages cliques or exclusionary behavior.
- Advocacy: If bullying occurs, mentors can advocate for new nurses. They can help them navigate reporting procedures and provide support throughout the process.
By implementing these strategies, nurse mentors can cultivate a supportive and professional work environment. This not only benefits new nurses but also fosters a more collaborative and patient-centered healthcare delivery system.
Sources:
[1] American Nurses Association. (2015). Bullying in the nursing workplace [Position statement]. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/official-position-statements/id/incivility-bullying-and-workplace-violence/ [2] Lasch, K. M., & Leiter, M. P. (2016). Workplace bullying and incivility among nurses: A review of the evidence. The American Journal of Nursing, 116(4), 28-36. [DOI: 10.1097/00000406-201604010-00007]