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Illustration of manager pointing finger at a nurse standing next to him in scrubs and with stethoscopeHealthy WorkforceWhen the Boss is the ProblemIs your manager tough but fair, or just a bully? How you can deal with both types.Editor’s note: Renee Thompson’s “Healthy Workforce” columns usually draw on real case studies from Renee’s consulting work and seminars and usually involve conflicts between...
One nurse in the background screaming in front of a computer while another nurse in the foreground is looking at her sadlyHealthy WorkforceThe Case of the Abrasive PerfectionistIs that nurse difficult and demanding because she's a perfectionist with high standards — or is she a bully?Liz was thrilled when she accepted a job in the medical ICU (MICU) at a large Level I trauma center. However, it wasn’t long before she wondered if she had made the right decision. Liz’s...
Illustration of a nurse in scrubs smiling while holding a clipboard and thinking of graduating from schoolHealthy WorkforceThe Case of the Bitter BackbitersReduce professional jealousy by creating a culture where accomplishments are celebratedRosa is a BSN-prepared nurse who has worked for several years on a med/surg unit. She has always had a dream of becoming a nurse practitioner and recently decided to make that dream a reality...
Illustration of a nurse in scrubs looking sad while two nurses in the background are gossipingHealthy WorkforceA Clear Case of HazingWhile bullying is about exclusion, hazing is a form of group initiationTina and Jack are both new graduate nurses in their first nursing job on the med-surg unit. Tina’s preceptor, Della, is consistently hard on Tina, often ordering her to perform tasks that...
An illustration of one male nurse in scrubs is whispering to a female nurse and she is laughingHealthy WorkforceThe Case of the Shameless GossipMalicious talk undermines relationships and trust. As nurses, we can do better!Kathy is at a staff meeting, sitting in the back of the room next to her coworker, Miguel. Their manager, Jackie, is going on about what everyone needs to do to improve the unit’s patient...