Inter-group conflict in health care: UK students' experiences of bullying and the need for organisational solutions

Abstract

This paper addresses bullying of United Kingdom (UK) nursing students whilst on work placement as a specific issue of inter-group difficulty that currently affects nurses and students working in the UK National Health Service. The authors begin by discussing the concept of bullying and sharing the types of bullying reported in two recent studies involving UK nursing students. Both studies illustrate the effects that negative workplace experiences can have on new entrants to the profession. After reviewing various individual solutions which have been recommended for reducing bullying, they suggest that the most effective solution is for health care organisations offering placement training to become much more proactive in creating a culture that will not tolerate bullying behaviour by staff at any level. The literature suggests bullying is a phenomenon affecting workplaces in many countries. Thus the issues described in this article, and the solutions offered have relevance to a variety of health care settings.