Nurses' Health And Careers Threatened By Bullying

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Public Health;  Primary Care / General Practice;  Anxiety / Stress
Article Date: 21 Mar 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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In workplaces where nurses are bullied, the quality of patient care declines, the health of nurses suffers, and the retention of quality nurses becomes difficult. A new article published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing reviews the psychological and social issues related to bullying in the workplace and strategies for creating a respectful work environment.

More than half of nurses surveyed by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations reported that they had been abused at work, and over 90 percent said they had witnessed abusive behavior. Most verbal abuse to nurses is instigated by physicians, yet abuse from fellow nurses is the second most common type.

Many nurses develop serious health problems and may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, or insomnia. Other abusers may direct their anger toward co-workers or patients. Up to 75 percent of healthcare workers believe disruptive behavior reduces patient satisfaction and care.

Author Dianne Felblinger, nursing Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati, explains how bullying causes severe emotional distress that hinders nurses' ability to do their job. Some are so traumatized they abandon their careers. "We've lost bright, dedicated neonatal and women's health nurses," Felblinger says.

To ensure a positive work environment, Felblinger encourages employees to report bullying to senior leaders and take immediate action against perpetrators. She recommends the zero-tolerance standards of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Felblinger says, "Administrators who want to promote a healthy, respectful place to work must establish boundaries."

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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This study is published in the March/April 2008 issue of the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing.

Dianne M. Felblinger, EdD, MSN, WHNP-C, CNS, RN, is affiliated with the College of Nursing at the University of Cincinnati.

For over 35 years the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN) has been a premier resource for health care professionals committed to clinical scholarship that advances the health care of women and newborns. With a focus on nursing practice, JOGNN addresses the latest research, practice issues, policies, opinions, and trends in the care of women, childbearing families, and newborns.

Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the acquisition of Blackwell Publishing Ltd. by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and its merger with Wiley's Scientific, Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have created a global publishing business with deep strength in every major academic and professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately 1,400 scholarly peer-reviewed journals and an extensive collection of books with global appeal. For more information on Wiley-Blackwell, please visit http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ or http://interscience.wiley.com/.

Source: Amy Molnar
Blackwell Publishing Ltd.