Suffering in Isolation

Unhealthy workplace environments have unfortunately been associated with the profession of nursing. Staffing shortages and long hours worked with high acuity patient caseloads can cause nursing professionals to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and anxious. Cultures of incivility can be accepted within some workplace environments as being normal. Nurse leaders that knowingly ignore patterns of disruptive behaviors by the nursing staff contribute to unit-based (and departmental) dysfunction. Perpetrators feel comfortable in continuing bullying behaviors because they have no fear of retribution. In these environments, nurse leaders themselves may engage in bullying and incivility behaviors. Chapter 4 provides nurses with instructions on how to report uncivil conduct that is not resolving and seek action against the perpetrator when mediation is not an option.