Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Workplace Bullying From a Nurses Perspective Dawn Reid White Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Commons, Nursing Commons, and the Psychology Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Dawn White has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Eric Hickey, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Kelly Schuller, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Bonnie Nastasi, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Workplace Bullying From a Nurse’s Perspective by Dawn Reid White MA, Walden University, 2013 BS, Old Dominion University, 2010 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2018 Abstract Bullying has long been associated with school children. In recent years, however, more attention has been paid to the bullying that has reached beyond the playground and into the workforce. One population facing this problem is staff nurses. To date, no one has found an effective way to address workplace bullying in the healthcare field, nor have effective methods been found for retaining trained nurses affected by this problem. The focus of this dissertation was on understanding nurses’ lived experiences and how nurses decided to remain in their current working position despite these problems. Taking a phenomenological approach and using the conceptual framework of resilience, the study included telephone interviews of 2 pilot study participants and 12 main study participants. Recorded and transcribed participant responses to interview questions were coded thematically and analyzed. Three main themes emerged: stories of working with workplace bullying, challenges of the lived experiences of being bullied, and special techniques of nurses being bullied. Three subthemes also emerged: despair, love of being a nurse, and resilience. This study gave a voice to nurses affected by this problem, revealing special challenges they encounter and coping strategies they employ. Hospital administrators can use the findings of this study to create social change within nurses’ working environment by implementing policies that will keep their nurses safe and happily employed. Future research should focus on workplace bullying in the nursing field and how it affects patient safety. Workplace Bullying From a Nurse’s Perspective by Dawn Reid White MA, Walden University, 2013 BS, Old Dominion University, 2010 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Psychology Walden University February 2018 Dedication There are so many people that I would like to dedicate this dissertation too. I want to start by thanking my wonderful and loving husband, Dr. Timothy A. White. Fourteen years ago, we started our voyage together and through countless analytical conversations, at all hours of the night, we finished our journey together, you before me. It was such a pleasure for both of us to be studying and writing at the same time and it made the process easier. I always loved “No Homework Mondays,” the best. I love you and it is so exciting to be Dr. and Dr. White. To my family, Reta (mom), Mike (dad), Steven and Brooke (son and daughter-in- law), Brittany and Dustin (daughter and son-in-law), Greg and Dallas (brother and niece), Joyce and Richard (in-laws), and Pam (sister-in-law) you have always been so encouraging and understanding. I know you’re tired of constantly hearing I can’t do this or that. because I have homework. It has all been worth the challenge. Now you will see more than me facing the computer typing away. I can now come out and play. I also look forward to spending more time with my six grandchildren: Anna, Savannah, Beckett, Cody, Griffin, and Magnolia. Finally, I would like to thank my coworkers Angie, Bruce, and Noma for always offering me encouragement. Bruce always told me he was learning with me, and got excited every time he said a word that had more than four letters. Now on to my next adventure, whatever it is! Acknowledgment I would like to acknowledge and humbly thank Dr. Eric Hickey for his help in assisting and mentoring me along this journey. Your assistance, as my chair, not only guided me through the tough battles but also offered me great encouragement when I needed it the most. Your words of wisdom will resonate in my mind forever. Onward!! I would also love to acknowledge and thank Dr. Kelly Schuller with her assistance throughout this process. You challenged me and helped me become the best writer I could be. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Background of the Study .............................................................................................. 2 Problem Statement ........................................................................................................ 5 Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 6 Purpose of the Study ..................................................................................................... 6 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................. 7 Nature of the Study ....................................................................................................... 8 Qualitative Approach .............................................................................................. 8 Operational Definitions ................................................................................................. 9 Assumptions, Limitations, Scope, and Delimitations ................................................. 11 Assumptions .......................................................................................................... 11 Limitations ............................................................................................................ 11 Scope ..................................................................................................................... 12 Delimitations ......................................................................................................... 13 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................ 14 Implications for Social Change ................................................................................... 15 Summary and Transition ............................................................................................. 15 i Chapter 2: Literature Review ............................................................................................ 16 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 16 Literature Search Strategy........................................................................................... 17 Conceptual Framework for Study ............................................................................... 18 Resilience .............................................................................................................. 19 Resiliency from Childhood to Adulthood ............................................................. 21 Resiliency Nursing ................................................................................................ 23 Literature Review........................................................................................................ 25 Brief Introduction to the Literature ....................................................................... 25 Levels of Nursing Experience ............................................................................... 27 Bullying in Nursing............................................................................................... 30 Types of Bullying in the Workplace ..................................................................... 32 Nonviolent to Violent Bullying ............................................................................ 33 Characteristics of Workplace Bullying in the Nursing Field ................................ 36 Generalized Bullying in the Workplace ................................................................ 38 Bystander Effects .................................................................................................. 40 Nursing Shortages ................................................................................................. 43 Nursing Retention/Turnover ................................................................................