Other Titles
Rising Star Poster/Presentation - Rapid Presentation Round
Abstract
Background: Bullying in the workplace setting is a significant issue that can severely impact one’s career. Bullying can be demonstrated in several forms- such as verbal abuse, isolation, intimidation, and physical harm. Specific to nursing practice, workplace bullying is shown to have negative effects on mental health, patient care, and overall job satisfaction. While there are no definite means that organizations will take complete action towards this ongoing issue, several implementations can be instilled to reduce the incidence of workplace bullying.
Methods: In this project, studies of negative work environments, specifically workplace bullying, and patient care were critiqued and synthesized. Three qualitative and quantitative articles were selected to demonstrate the prevalence of healthcare workers who feel bullied in their workplace and the toxic effects on patient care.
Results: The first study gathered data from approximately 470 nurses, where 45% of participants claimed to be bullied in the workplace within the last six months. Additional data is provided that further supports their desire to withdraw from their current organization.
The second study analyzes data that supports healthcare workers’ intent to leave as a result of workplace bullying. This issue only further contributes to the nationwide nursing shortage.
The final research that supports this study discusses job satisfaction as a result of workplace bullying. If healthcare workers are consistently overworked due to insufficient staffing, patient care declines tremendously. Burnout is also likely- which can lead to medication errors, poor outcomes, and patient maltreatment.
Discussion: It is important that healthcare facilities and management take proper measures to ensure safe work environments for all staff members. By taking measures to prevent workplace bullying, healthcare professionals will feel more comfortable within their field. If healthcare professionals feel like a valuable aspect of their facility, the facility will strive in a multitude of ways. Employee satisfaction may increase, as well as patient outcomes.
Bullying in the workplace setting is an extremely common occurrence in the healthcare profession, and we all must recognize our role in prevention. More studies are recommended to identify effective prevention strategies.
Notes
References:
Wunnenberg M. (2020). Psychosocial Bullying Among Nurse Educators: Exploring Coping Strategies and Intent to Leave. Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 52(5), 574–582. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12581
Medina-Craven, M. N., & Ostermeier, K. (2020. Investigating justice and bullying among healthcare workers, 1-15.
Anusiewicz, C. V., Ivankova, N. V., Swiger, P. A., Gillespie, G. L., Li, P., & Patrician, P. A. (2020). How does workplace bullying influence nurses' abilities to provide patient care? A nurse perspective. Journal of clinical nursing, 29(21-22), 4148–4160. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15443
Sigma Membership
Alpha Beta Chi
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Bullying, Nurses -- Psychosocial Factors, Organizational Culture
Recommended Citation
Fitzgerald, Kayla, "The Effects of Patient Care in Relation to Toxic Workplace Environments" (2026). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 44.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2024/presentations_2024/44
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Year
2024
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-02-17
The Effects of Patient Care in Relation to Toxic Workplace Environments
Washington, DC, USA
Background: Bullying in the workplace setting is a significant issue that can severely impact one’s career. Bullying can be demonstrated in several forms- such as verbal abuse, isolation, intimidation, and physical harm. Specific to nursing practice, workplace bullying is shown to have negative effects on mental health, patient care, and overall job satisfaction. While there are no definite means that organizations will take complete action towards this ongoing issue, several implementations can be instilled to reduce the incidence of workplace bullying.
Methods: In this project, studies of negative work environments, specifically workplace bullying, and patient care were critiqued and synthesized. Three qualitative and quantitative articles were selected to demonstrate the prevalence of healthcare workers who feel bullied in their workplace and the toxic effects on patient care.
Results: The first study gathered data from approximately 470 nurses, where 45% of participants claimed to be bullied in the workplace within the last six months. Additional data is provided that further supports their desire to withdraw from their current organization.
The second study analyzes data that supports healthcare workers’ intent to leave as a result of workplace bullying. This issue only further contributes to the nationwide nursing shortage.
The final research that supports this study discusses job satisfaction as a result of workplace bullying. If healthcare workers are consistently overworked due to insufficient staffing, patient care declines tremendously. Burnout is also likely- which can lead to medication errors, poor outcomes, and patient maltreatment.
Discussion: It is important that healthcare facilities and management take proper measures to ensure safe work environments for all staff members. By taking measures to prevent workplace bullying, healthcare professionals will feel more comfortable within their field. If healthcare professionals feel like a valuable aspect of their facility, the facility will strive in a multitude of ways. Employee satisfaction may increase, as well as patient outcomes.
Bullying in the workplace setting is an extremely common occurrence in the healthcare profession, and we all must recognize our role in prevention. More studies are recommended to identify effective prevention strategies.
Description
The Effects of Patient Care in Relation to Toxic Workplace Environments by Kayla Fitzgerald is a study that highlights the importance of healthy work environments and how patients can be affected by unhealthy circumstances.