Breaking the cycle of workplace bullying in healthcare

By Allison Varnum

Landing my dream job in a Level One Trauma Center ICU straight out of nursing school felt like the ultimate achievement. I was eager to immerse myself in trauma care, absorb every bit of knowledge, and grow into the best nurse I could be. But reality hit hard—nursing wasn’t just about caring for patients. It quickly became clear that the “family” I had envisioned wasn’t always supportive, and my first year in the field turned into one of the most challenging years of my life.

We’ve all heard the phrase “nurses eat their young,” but what does it really mean? It’s not just about older nurses being unkind to newer ones. Studies show that the primary targets of lateral violence in nursing are those who are less experienced. This can manifest in many ways—gossip, exclusion from learning opportunities, a tough-love or sink-or-swim mentality. Other research highlights workplace bullying such as withholding vital information, assigning tasks below one’s skill level, or dismissing a new nurse’s input entirely.

The consequences are serious. Lateral violence contributes to burnout, mental distress, and job dissatisfaction. One ER-based study found that 53% of nurses who experience workplace bullying either transfer units, switch hospitals, or leave nursing altogether. Among those with less than five years of experience, the intention to leave skyrockets to 78%. Many hesitate to report these issues for fear of retaliation.

At first, I was afraid to speak up. The culture of intimidation made it feel impossible. But after a year of enduring mistreatment, I finally found my voice—and when I did, other nurses who had been silently suffering stepped forward too. Unfortunately, leadership failed to address the toxic environment, and I made the difficult decision to leave.

That decision changed everything.

At my next hospital, I found what I had been searching for all along—a true team. My colleagues became my second family, and the experienced nurses didn’t just accept me; they mentored me. Their guidance shaped the nurse I am today, and I’ll always be grateful for their support.

My experience with nurse bullying ignited a passion in me for education and advocacy. It took three nurses leaving before my former unit’s leadership finally acknowledged the problem. That’s why I believe that awareness, education, and most importantly, compassion, are essential in changing the culture of nursing.

Today, I’m proud to work for Turn Medical, a company that prioritizes compassion in patient and caregiver support. As part of the education team at Turn University, I have the privilege of equipping nurses with the knowledge they need to thrive. Our AACN-accredited courses cover critical care topics, empowering nurses to provide better care—not just for their patients, but for themselves as well. Because at the end of the day, knowledge is power, and kindness is the key to real change.