A qualitative study on the experiences and coping strategies of nursing interns facing bullying in nursing education

Jinlong Zheng; Jun Zhou; Xuemei Zheng; Qi Peng; Wenhao Tang

doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106538

A qualitative study on the experiences and coping strategies of nursing interns facing bullying in nursing education

Nurse Educ Today. 2024 Dec 6:146:106538. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106538. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jinlong Zheng¹, Jun Zhou², Xuemei Zheng³, Qi Peng⁴, Wenhao Tang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Emergency, Xiangyang Central Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, China.
² Department of Oncology, Xiangyang Central Hospital, China.
³ Department of Nursing, Huangshi Central Hospital, China.
⁴ Department of Oncology, the First People's Hospital of Jingzhou City, China.
⁵ Nephrology and Urology Ward, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China; West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University, China. Electronic address: twh312@wchscu.cn.

PMID: 39671775
DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106538

Abstract

Background: Clinical internships serve as a significant practical application for nursing students to utilize their theoretical knowledge in resolving actual patient care issues, and they are also a crucial complement and continuation of classroom teaching in medical institutions of various levels. However, the occurrence of bullying behaviors among nursing students during clinical internships significantly reduces the effectiveness of clinical nursing education, severely impairs the physical and mental health of intern nurses, and adversely impacts their future career choices and the long-term development of the nursing workforce. Currently, there is limited research attention on nursing education bullying in China.

Aim: To understand the experiences and coping strategies of nursing interns in top-tier hospitals facing nursing education bullying, providing a reference for developing scientific psychological intervention and support strategies.

Design: This is a descriptive qualitative study.

Participants: Thirteen nursing interns.

Methods: Using a descriptive phenomenological research approach, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 nursing interns from a top-tier hospital from March 2023 to June 2023. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step analysis method.

Findings: Five themes were identified: negative emotional experiences of bullying behaviors; the impact on clinical internship; the impact on professional ideology; lack of effective coping and support; the cultivation and growth of psychological resilience.

Conclusion: Nursing education bullying causes severe psychological distress to nursing interns and may impact their professional values. Clinical nursing managers should pay attention to bullying phenomena in clinical nursing education, emphasize the quality education of clinical mentors, provide psychological counseling and support to nursing interns experiencing this phenomenon, and promote their physical and mental health.

Keywords: Bullying; Experiences; Nursing interns; Qualitative study; Top-tier hospital.