Abusing Nurses

Research Paper # 101775

Medical and Health > Nursing

Abusing Nurses

This paper explores the issue of nurse abuse and discusses the solutions.

2,203 words () | 6 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper addresses how nurses experience intimidation, violence and harassment in the workplace. The paper relates that research indicates that the most effective means for eradicating bullying is through the use of multiple strategies. The paper looks at how a health care organization needs to enforce a clear policy of zero tolerance for any kind of abuse and to develop clear procedures for reporting, investigating and following up every incident. The paper also talks about the need for a health care organization to provide access to information that will increase staff awareness and aid effective communication.

Outline:
Introduction
Context
Violence and the Nursing Environment
Solutions
Evaluation of the Options

From the Paper:

"Nurses experience intimidation, violence, and harassment in the workplace on such a scale that the problem is international in scope. Bullying or intimidation and aggression can come from many sources including the nurse's supervisor, but the most common form is from co-workers (Jackson, 2002; CNO, 2005). Whereas nurses would expect aggressive behaviour on a psychiatric unit or in emergency, nurses who work in general medical, surgical and high dependency areas also experience high levels of aggression from other nurses (O'Connell & Young, 2000). Aggression assumes many forms, a major one being intimidation which is synonymous with bullying. Bullying can be undetected for long periods because of the silent agreement of other nurses as well as the strategies used by the abuser. Research indicates that the most effective means for eradicating bullying is through the use of multiple strategies."

Sample of Sources Used:

Beyea, S. (2004). Intimidation in health care settings and patient safety. Association of Operating Room Nurses Journal, 80 (1), 115-116.
CNO (2005). Nurse abuse: What employers can do. Quality Practice, 1 (6), 1-2.
Jackson, D. (2002). Who would want to be a nurse? Journal of Nursing Management, 10, 13-2-0.
O'Connell, B. & Young, J. (2000). Nurses' perceptions of the nature and frequency of aggression in general ward settings and high dependency areas. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 9 (4), 602-610.
Reno, K. (2000). Wake-up call. Nursing Management, 31 (9), 31.