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Articles about Bullying and Incivility Clear search

31 articles
A nurse looks overwhelmed in scrubs, gloves, and a mask. She has her hands up as if preventing someone from hitting herFeatureCombatting Workplace ViolenceAttacks against nurses are not just part of the jobEven before the outbreak of COVID-19, some nurses felt that walking into work every day posed a threat to their health and safety. More Dangerous Than Policing Statistics from the federal...
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...
Illustration of a nurse with an angry look on her faceFeatureDealing With Mean NursesTo confront or to avoid? Making the case for going along to get alongRegardless of the career you choose, you are likely to face mean people in the workplace. However, in healthcare, the stakes are much higher. In some occupations, if you have a disagreement...
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...

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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...
Illustration of a nurse in scrubs sitting on a swivel chair while another nurse stands looking at her with arms on her hipsHealthy WorkforceThe Case of the Territorial TyrantWhen a nurse lays claim to a particular chair or piece of equipmentEvery nurse who’d been on the mother/baby unit for more than a few weeks knew that their colleague Gretchen was extremely territorial: She had HER chair, HER computer and HER med...
Illustration of a nurse being grabbed by the wrist by another nurse, and throwing her clipboard in the airHealthy WorkforceThe Case of the Bad Day BullyAn isolated harsh incident should be judged in contextStaff nurses Camilla and Bridget usually get along. However, today, they got into a heated argument about assignments. Bridget, who was in charge, decided to assign Camilla a complicated new...
Illustration of two nurses, one in the foreground wearing scrubs and a stethoscope, while the other is on the computer in the backgroundHealthy WorkforceThe Case of the Negative NewbiePositive, constructive feedback is necessary to improve behaviorGretchen is an experienced orthopedics nurse who is currently precepting new grad nurse Tammy. Although she is progressing well clinically, Tammy has a condescending attitude towards the...