As we seek new and effective ways to enhance the work environment for nurses, we contemplate what has been accomplished so far and reaffirm our commitment to eradicate what exit surveys still tell us: A major reason why nurses are leaving the point of care is because of unhealthy relationships among colleagues. These unhealthy relationships extend beyond random incivility and in fact are reported to be purposeful, targeted, and meant to harm—characteristics of the phenomenon of workplace bullying.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Arbinger Institute. (2006). The anatomy of peace: Resolving the heart of conflict.San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
2.
BeyeaS. C. (2004). Intimidation in health care settings and patient safety. AORN Journal, 80(1), 115–117.
3.
FelgenJ. (2007). I2E2: Leading lasting change.Minneapolis, MN: Creative Health Care Management.
4.
HutchinsonM., VickersM., JacksonD., & WilkesL. (2006a). Like wolves in a pack: Predatory alliances of bullies in nursing. Journal of Nursing Management and Organization, 12, 235–250.
5.
HutchinsonM., VickersM., JacksonD., & WilkesL. (2006b). Workplace bullying in nursing: Towards a more critical organisational perspective. Nursing Inquiry, 13(2), 118–126.
6.
JacksonD., ClareJ., & MannixJ. (2002). Who would want to be a nurse? Violence in the workplace—A factor in recruitment and retention. Journal of Nursing Management, 10, 13–20.
7.
Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. (2008, July 9). Behaviors that undermine a culture of safety. Sentinel Event Alert, Issue 40. Retrieved October 10, 2008, from: http://www.jointcommission.org/SentinelEvents/SentinelEventAlert.
8.
KivimakiM., ElovanioM., & VahteraJ. (2000). Workplace bullying and sickness absence in hospital staff. Occupational Environmental Medicine, 57, 656–660.
9.
KivimakiM., VirtanenM., VartiaM., VahteraJ., & Keltikangas-JarvinenL. (2003). Workplace bullying and the risk of cardiovascular disease and depression. Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 60, 779–783.
10.
LipleyN. (2006). Bullying at work on increase, RCN survey finds. Nursing Management, 12(10), 5.
11.
MackoffB. L., & TrioloP. K. (2008). Why do managers stay? Building a model of engagement, Part II, Cultures of engagement. Journal of Nursing Administration, 38(4), 166–171.
12.
MantheyM. (2009). Commitment to my co-workers.Minneapolis, MN: Creative Health Care Management.
13.
Parker-PopeT. (2008, March 25). When the bully sits in the next cubicle. The New York Times, p. F5.
14.
QuineL. (1999). Workplace bullying in the NHS community trust. British Medical Journal, 318(7178), 228–232.
15.
RandleJ. (2003). Bullying in the nursing profession, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 43(4), 395–401.
16.
SimonsS. (2008). Workplace bullying experienced by Massachusetts nurses newly registered and the relationship to intention to leave the organization. Advanced Nursing Science, 31(2), 48–59.
17.
StrandmarkK. M., & HallbergL.R.M. (2007). The origin of workplace bullying: Experiences from the perspective of bully victims in the public service sector. Journal of Nursing Management, 15(3), 332–341.
18.
TehraniN. (2004). Bullying: A source of chronic post traumatic stress?British Journal of Guidance & Counseling, 32(3), 357–366.
19.
TurneyL. (2003). Mental health and workplace bullying: The role of power, professions and ‘on the job’ training. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 2(2), 1–9.
20.
VartiaM. A. (2001). Consequences of workplace bullying with respect to the well-being of its targets and the observers of bullying. Scandinavian Journal of Workers Environmental Health, 27(1), 63–69.
21.
VegaG., & ComerD. (2005). Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can break your spirit: Bullying in the workplace. Journal of Business Ethics, 58(1), 101–109.