Bullying, as defined by many, is the act of using coercion, force, or threat to aggressively dominate, abuse, or intimidate an individual or group of people. Nurses, just like any other healthcare professionals, are not exempted with bullying either by their co-workers (nurses, doctors, medical technicians, hospital employees, etc.), by their patients, or by the patients' significant others. Nurses being the front liners of the hospitals often neglect bullying because it is in the Professional Code of Ethics to remain composed and professional in spite of unfavorable circumstances.
This study would like to explore the lived experiences of the nurses’ experienced bullying. Related literatures indicated that majority of the cases occur with female nurses and minimal cases were from male nurses ranging from emotional attacks, physical abuse, moral and racial discriminations and even threats. These are the reasons why nurses are alarmed regarding this phenomenon.
Methods:
Qualitative phenomenological approach . The study participants were 10 nurses who experienced bullying (in all forms) for more than 2 years and been employed in the same institution for at least 3 years. The narratives from the semi-structured interviews were transcribed using tape analysis with the use of field notes to ensure the trustworthiness of the data. Descriptive Phenomenological Analysis created by Collaizi was employed. Themes were generated. Autonomy and Confidentiality were strictly imposed throughout the study.
Results:
The lived experiences of the participants toward hospital bullying came up with four (4) emergent themes, which depicted the essence of their lived experiences. The themes are as follows: Stigma of Nurses (stereotyping and discrimination), Marks of Bullying (kinds of bullying), Soaring Above Challenges (fighting bullying) and Overcoming Bullying (the future towards bullying).
Conclusion:
The essence of the study is to bring awareness to the issues and cases of nurse bullying happening in the hospital. Nurses should be respected at all costs because nurses are human too.