Nurses Share Advice for Dealing with Bullying

Seven nurses from around the country answered the question, “How do you deal with bullying behavior with other staff members?”

Rachel Hayes, maternal child health staff RN at Saint Clare’s Health Network in Denville, said, “Although I am fortunate and I have not had to deal with much bullying on my unit, I am confident and comfortable with how I handle differences and conflict. I tend to sense bullying very quickly and handle it with a direct conversation early on before it escalates into a bigger matter. I also reflect on the fact that most of the time a bully has issues with themselves more so than with me. If the matter made me uncomfortable to work on my unit, I would then bring it up the chain of command. However, I do try to handle my work relationships myself.”