Joint Commission: alert against nurse bullying.(Focus Nursing Issues)(Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organi

The Joint Commission has decided to focus on nurse harassment and bullying, along with lateral violence in the workplace. A problem that all nurses know exists. This Sentinel Even Alert has extensive recommendation; but, is it the role of a national agency that accredits hospitals and care standards to address? Is the joint commission stepping out of its usual role into an area that should be the responsibility of professional nurses? Will they be setting up another "standard" that looks great on paper, but will have little or no effective methods to stop lateral nurse violence?

Professional practicing nurses need to reassess our own behavior towards our colleagues. We each are responsible for own behavior and to be respectful of those we encounter. Would I respond that way if that nurse was my daughter, mother, sister, or friend? We need to step into their shoes or even better be a mentor, act compassionately to our colleagues for the bullying always destroys ones ability to perform well and affect our patient care. Instead be a proactive professional and insist on change from the top to the bottom and bottom to the top. Nursing administrators should be informed of problems verbally and in writing so that they can be aware and insist on enforcing policies against discrimination, harassment, and lateral violence within staffs and units. The board of nursing should also be informed of conduct that is adverse to the state's Nurse Practice Act

Should punitive disciplinary actions be taken against those nurses participating in lateral nurse harassment or violence? Should they be allowed to continue working as nurses? Can joint Commission make a difference for everyone's sake, but most importantly for the patients who are adversely affected by workplace bullying?

Go on line and review this "alert" and give us your opinions and the recommendation.

Sentinel Event Alert

Issue 40, July 9, 2008

Behaviors that undermine a culture of safety

http://www.jointcommission.org/SentinelEvents/SentinelEventAlert/ sea_40.htm

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