Making things right: nurses' experiences with workplace bullying-a grounded theory
Donna A Gaffney1, Rosanna F Demarco, Anne Hofmeyer
1Columbia Center for New Media Teaching and Learning, Columbia University, 2970 Broadway, MC 4122, 603 Lewisohn Hall, New York, NY 10027, USA.
Nursing Research and Practice
|May 9, 2012
Summary
Workplace bullying among nurses is underreported in the US. This study reveals nurses navigate bullying through a four-step process, but lack colleague and administrator support.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Nursing Practice
- Organizational Psychology
Background:
- Workplace bullying is a recognized international issue in healthcare.
- A culture of silence in US institutions leads to underreporting and ineffective interventions.
- Bullying behaviors can harm nurses, disrupt care, and compromise patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore nurses' experiences confronting workplace bullying.
- To develop a theory on how nurses manage and resolve bullying situations.
- To identify barriers and facilitators to addressing workplace bullying in nursing.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study using constructivist grounded theory.
- Data collected from narratives of 99 nurses via an online survey in 2007.
- Analysis focused on understanding nurses' coping and resolution strategies.
Main Results:
- Nurses utilize a four-step process: context, assessment, action, and outcome judgment.
- Effective, though untested, strategies are employed by nurses.
- Inadequate support from colleagues and inaction from administrators are significant concerns.
Conclusions:
- Nurses actively manage bullying, but systemic support is lacking.
- Further research is needed to understand and address the complexities of workplace bullying in nursing.
- Qualitative inquiry can illuminate effective strategies and areas for institutional improvement.
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