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Nurses' Workplace Discrimination Experiences and Their Reflections on Career Development: A Qualitative Study.
Nagihan Koroglu Kaba1, Emine Apaydin2, Nurşen Kulakaç3
1Management and Organization Department, Vocational School of Health Services, Bayburt University, Bayburt, Turkiye.
International Nursing Review
|May 21, 2026
Summary
Nurses face workplace discrimination, which can hinder or surprisingly support their career development. Addressing this requires comprehensive strategies at all levels to foster a more inclusive nursing environment.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Science
- Workplace Discrimination Research
- Qualitative Health Research
Background:
- Discrimination poses a significant challenge in the nursing profession.
- Limited qualitative research exists on how discrimination impacts nurses' career trajectories.
- Understanding these experiences is crucial for improving the nursing work environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore nurses' lived experiences of workplace discrimination.
- To investigate the influence of these discriminatory experiences on career development.
- To identify coping mechanisms and prevention strategies for discrimination in nursing.
Main Methods:
- Phenomenological study utilizing semi-structured individual interviews with 21 nurses in a Turkish public hospital.
- Purposive sampling across various clinical settings.
- Colaizzi's seven-step content analysis for data interpretation, adhering to COREQ guidelines.
Main Results:
- Five key themes emerged: Discrimination Experiences, Reporting Behavior, Impact on Career Development, Coping Strategies, and Prevention Suggestions.
- Discrimination varied in type and source, eliciting diverse emotional responses.
- Experiences of discrimination had both supportive and hindering effects on career progression.
Conclusions:
- Discrimination is a complex issue requiring multifaceted interventions (emotional, structural, professional, institutional).
- For some nurses, discrimination can paradoxically foster professional growth, while for others, it acts as a significant career impediment.
- Strengthening reporting systems, promoting supportive work cultures, and implementing inclusive policies are essential for nursing career advancement.
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