Sickness in Health: Bullying in Nursing and other Health Professions

ISBN-13: 9783031493355 / Angielski

Brenda Happell

Spis treści

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

This chapter includes the background of this book. I touch on some of my bullying experiences and their impact on me personally and professionally. Finally, I introduce the 12 people who contributed their stories to this book (referred to as champions).

CHAPTER 2 - BECOMING A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

This chapter describes what motivated the champions and I to pursue a health career. The reasons range from a life-long interest in helping people achieve optimal health to a more opportunistic desire for job security and flexibility. In addition, some champions shared the image they had of their chosen professionals before commencing their careers.

CHAPTER 3 - BEING BULLIED

This chapter describes the types of bullying experienced. Most bullying came from managers. Some champions were bullied by peers or people who worked for them. For most, it took considerable time before they recognised the behaviours they experienced as bullying.

CHAPTER 4 - BULLY TACTICS

The tactics bullies used are described under four headings: the screaming mimi, the saboteur, the two-headed snake, and the gatekeeper. Some champions were abused and even assaulted by screaming mimis, while the other three types were more subtle. These bullies attacked the targets by undermining them, withholding resources, favouring some colleagues, and making unreasonable work demands. This chapter helps targets to identify bullying.

CHAPTER 5 - WHAT BULLYING DID TO ME

This chapter describes how bullying impacted the professional and personal lives of the champions. Many champions left jobs they otherwise loved because of the bullying. At a personal level, the bullying affected their physical and mental health and their relationships. The impact was so profound two champions became suicidal.

CHAPTER 6 - HOW I RESPONDED

This chapter presents ways the champions attempted to deal with bullying. The champions sought to protect themselves through documentation, trying to adapt, and attending to their self-care. They attempted to resolve bullying informally through direct communication or, more formally, via human resources and unions. Unfortunately, most strategies were unsuccessful and often made the situation worse.

CHAPTER 7 - WHY ME?

This chapter presents the champions' reflections on why they were bullied. They believed aspects of their personality were contributors, such as being assertive, honest, hard-working and well-respected. They saw the bullies as threatened by their success and dedication. Other factors, such as gender and mental health issues, were relevant for some champions.

CHAPTER 8 - LIFE AFTER BULLYING

This chapter describes where the champions were with their lives and careers during our conversations. Some champions left jobs because of bullying, and some were considering leaving. In some cases, the bully was removed from the workplace, and others still had ongoing actions to seek redress or compensation for the harm they experienced. The champions all remained deeply affected by their experiences and were, in most cases, unable to forgive the bullies.

CHAPTER 9 - THE TOXIC CULTURE OF HEALTHCARE ORGANISATIONS

The champions describe a toxic culture in healthcare settings. The culture was seen as tolerating bullying and was characterised by self-interest, competition and favouritism. There were mixed views about whether this culture could be changed. Strategies suggested by participants included Ttraining for leadership and management roles and an independent process for reporting bullying were two main strategies identified by the champions.

CHAPTER 10 – EPILOGUE

This chapter includes my reflections on the journey of writing this book. An update on the champions since our final conversation is provided. The chapter concludes with thoughts from some champions after reading the book.

Chapter 11 - RESOURCES

This will include resources readers can access when they are experiencing bullying.

O autorze

Brenda is a Registered Nurse, with specialist qualifications in Mental Health Nursing. She is currently Professor of Mental Health at Southern Cross University.

Brenda has an academic career of 33+ years' experience, working for universities in Victoria, Queensland, the ACT and New South Wales. Her greatest passion is writing. She has published more than 500 journal articles, four books (one edited) and nine book chapters. Brenda has attracted approximately $15 million in competitive research funding. Her work has been recognised through several awards including the Mental Health Services (TheMHS) Award for her Outstanding Contribution to Mental Health.

Blurb

This book informs students and practitioners of the health professions about workplace bullying and how to recognise it. The health professions have among the highest rates of bullying of any occupational group. This book shines a light on bullying and its very real human consequences for health professionals. Statistics about bullying in health present a disturbing picture. However, they don't convey the human impact on people who only want to do good for others.

The author begins by telling how her experiences spurred her to write this book and then introduces the champions, twelve health professionals who contributed their stories. The book starts with the champions' decision to become a health professional, and then describes their bullying experiences, the impact on almost every aspect of their lives and careers, and how they tried to resolve or deal with the bullying. Some were still dealing with bullying, and all felt they had been forever changed by their experiences.

The stories show that bullying is much more than the actions of a few, it is deeply embedded in the culture of institutions responsible for providing quality health care. Better preparation for leadership positions and independent processes for reporting unacceptable behaviours and actions are two suggestions for tackling bullying and its consequences. This book shows the necessity to expose these appalling behaviours and their human costs in order to address workplace bullying and create a healthy and safe environment for everyone in healthcare.

This volume is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students, and practitioners of nursing and other health professions, the general public and other stakeholders of health services. It will enhance their understanding of, ability to recognise, and strategies to cope with, workplace bullying.