Disruptive behaviors, including incivility, has been described in the nursing literature as having a negative impact on nurses, patients, and teamwork and collaboration among the healthcare team. This may be in the form of targeted bullying of one person by a group or another individual, lateral violence between co-workers of the same level, or uncivil or “rude behaviors that violate norms of mutual respect” (Clark, 2014, p. 18). This week, we will look at ways to create healthy workplaces and deal with disruptive behaviors.
Module Objectives:
•By the end of the module, learners will be able to:
1. Describe the negative impact of bullying, incivility, mobbing, and workplace violence on patients, nurses, and the healthcare team.
2. Identify effective strategies to utilize when faced with incivility or disruptive behaviors.
3. Reflect on one’s own civility level in the work environment.
This module contributes to course objective 1. Apply group process and team building skills within the health care team to promote patient outcomes.
This module contributes to AACN Baccalaureate Essential Outcomes:
6.3 Incorporate effective communication techniques, including negotiation and conflict resolution, to produce positive professional working relationships.
6.5 Demonstrate appropriate teambuilding and collaborative strategies when working with interprofessional teams
Reference
Clark, C.M. (2014). Seeking civility. American Nurse. https://www.myamericannurse.com/seeking-civility/
Black, A., Rice, E., & Shank, B. (2017). Fostering a healthy workforce: Cultivating civility in nursing. Tennessee Nurse, 80(1), 6-6. PMID: 29718628
Clark, C.M. & Kenski, D. (2017). Promoting civility in the OR: An ethical imperative. AORN, 105(1),60-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2016.10.019
Marquis, B. & Huston, C. (2021). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application. (10th Ed.). Wolters-Kluwer Health.
Read Chapter 21 (Conflict, workplace violence, and negotiation): pp. 565-570
*(Begin reading at header entitled Bullying, Incivility, Mobbing, and Workplace Violence)
You have been working in your current position on the medical-surgical floor for the past 9 months. You have noticed that when Nancy is charging, your patient load has seemed extremely heavy while some of the nurses who have been there longer have lighter assignments, take an hour for lunch, and are checking emails, facebook, or talking while you are trying to provide care for your very busy patients. You are concerned that you are being singled out and that you have not been able to provide safe, quality care due to the heavy patient load.
Please answer the following questions with your own insights and a minimum of one supporting reference.
1. What is your duty as a nurse in terms of acting ethically in this situation? Why?
2. Thinking about what you learned from the readings this week, describe how you might address this situation and with whom do you feel you should address it (speak directly with Nancy, go up the chain of command, etc.). Provide rationale for your response.
3. What are organizational or personnel resources you could use to address this situation?
4. What are possible consequences if this situation is not addressed?
