Creating respectful workplaces for nurses in regional acute care settings: A quasi‐experimental design

Abstract

Abstract Aim To examine self‐reported exposure and experiences of negative workplace behaviour and ways of coping of nursing staff before and after educational workshops. Design A Quasi‐experimental design. Method/Setting/Participants Data were collected pre‐ /postworkshops using a structured questionnaire. Nurses (N = 230) from 12 units in four regional acute care hospitals were invited to complete a pre‐intervention survey. Educational workshops were then implemented by the organization at two of the hospitals, after which, follow‐up surveys were undertaken. Results There were 74 responses in the pre‐intervention and 56 responses in the postintervention time period. There were 111 participants who attended the educational intervention, 20% (n = 22) completed the follow‐up survey. Participants were more likely exposed to work‐related bullying acts and they used problem‐focused coping strategies and sought social support as a way of coping when exposed to the negative behaviours. Overall, there was a decrease in both bullying and incivility experienced by participants; however, our findings were unable to establish that a statistically significant difference was made due to the implementation of the intervention. Study Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (Registration No. ACTRN12618002007213; December 14, 2018).

Keywords

• acute care
• bullying
• nursing workforce
• staff development
• workforce issues