ObjectivesIn the present study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of bullying among Polish nurses, and to identify the most common negative acts, as well as individual and work-related risk factors for workplace bullying.MethodsCross-sectional study designed using an online survey. The total study sample was 404 nurses, each having over 6 months of working experience. Data were collected using the Polish version of the Negative Act Questionnaire-Revised. Linear stepwise regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed to assess predictors of greater reporting of perceived workplace bullyingResultsBullying was experienced by 65.84% of participants. Perceived workplace bullying was associated with sex (p=0.043), age (p=0.003), seniority (p=0.006), number of working hours per week (p=0.010) and position (p=0.029). Logistic regression analysis with the dependent variable of bullying according to Leymann’s rigorous criteria revealed that the model could include four variables: age from 50 to 59, seniority of 11–15 years,>45 working hours per week and a bachelor’s degree in nursing.ConclusionsAn alarming percentage of nurses were victims of bullying. Among all variables included in the regression model, the most significant predictors of perceived workplace bullying were age, seniority, work overtime and bachelor’s degree education. Bullying prevention and improvement of well-being at work must be addressed as part of an overall strategy to deal with turnover.

Aims:To report a synthesis of the empirical studies that used the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) to assess bullying among nurses based on evaluation of the psychometric properties and use and usability of the instrument and identification of the variables associated with bullying.Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources: Four databases were used in the literature search: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus. The search was limited to original publications describing results of empirical studies written in English or Polish and published in peer-reviewed journals between 2002 and 2018.Review methods: Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility, extracted data and conducted quality assessment. Based on the extracted data, three separate meta-analyses were conducted.Results: Thirty-one articles were included in the review, 13 of which were selected for meta-analysis. In studies where participants reported bullying (N = 19), its prevalence ranged from 17-94%. Variables most often associated with bullying were age, educational level and years of professional experience. Usability of this instrument in different countries was supported by a high reliability in each study. In two metaanalyses, which included 12 studies with mean NAQ-R and item scores, the heterogeneity of data was calculated as high and moderate respectively. Conclusion:The good quality of the NAQ-R in determining variables related to bullying is endorsed. Variables related to bullying identified in this review could be used to map out a model of a potential bullying victim for preventative measures. Impact:The NAQ-R is a useful and reliable tool for measuring bullying among nurses; however, there remains a strong need to assure that a verified, standardized and updated bullying taxonomy is used in future studies to ensure reliable and comparable data. A model of a potential bullying victim may help nursing directors foster a healthier workplace environment, thereby improving patient outcomes in the long-term. K E Y W O R D Sbullying, management, meta-analysis, nursing practice, systematic review

Background: Novice nurses (newly qualified within the first 3-year period of professional practice after registration) must first face the reality and complexity of caring for high-acuity patients in the critical care setting, which can be an unfamiliar and demanding environment. The successful transition from education to professional practice of novice nurses hired for intensive care must be supported.Aim: To explore Polish novice nurses' readiness to practice in an intensive care unit (ICU). Our study objectives included investigating pre-registration preparation for work in an ICU, identifying the most needed competencies to work in an ICU, and analysing organizational aspects of the professional orientation period.Study design: A qualitative phenomenology design was applied.Methods: We conducted qualitative content analysis based on individual semistructured in-depth interviews. Study recruitment was performed using a purposeful and network sampling strategy. The final number of participants was 17 Polish novice nurses. Results:The majority of responders replied that they were not prepared to work in an ICU after graduation. Professional orientation was planned-generally for a period of 3 months; however, in most places it was shortened. The respondents identified the five competencies most needed to work in an ICU: communication, teamwork, professional self-confidence, and knowledge and its practical use. Their enhancement could be achieved through simulations during both pre-registration and professional training. Conclusion:Analysis of the novice nurses' orientation period revealed many difficulties that indicated a lack of readiness to practice in an ICU after graduation. Identifying novice nurses' strengths and weaknesses regarding clinical competence is important to guide the design of orientation programmes in ICU settings and nursing education programmes.Relevance to clinical practice: Readiness for ICU work may be improved by enriching education with simulations that enable training in the practical use of knowledge and

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a great challenge to health care systems worldwide. Health care personnel, including nurses, work under high pressure and are overworked and overwhelmed, which results in a higher prevalence of burnout and workplace bullying, which further increases the intention to leave the nursing profession. (2) Methods: A comparative correlational and cross-sectional study design was adopted, and an online questionnaire was used to collect data between October 2019 and October 2021. Two hundred and fifty-seven newly graduated nurses participated in this study. The studied variable was measured using the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, the Negative Acts Questionnaire, and metrics developed by the authors. (3) Results: The prevalence of bullying and burnout is significantly higher among nurses who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic than among those who worked before the pandemic, but the pandemic has not had an impact on the level of the subjective assessment of bullying. Working as a newly graduated nurse before or during the COVID-19 pandemic is a moderator between person-related bullying and its dimensions and disengagement. (4) Conclusions: Pandemics increase bullying and burnout among newly graduated nurses; however, the current challenges have caused some of this to remain unrevealed, the repercussions of which will appear with double strength later.

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