The COVID-19 Pandemic Increased Burnout and Bullying among Newly Graduated Nurses but Did Not Impact the Relationship between Burnout and Bullying and Self-Labelled Subjective Feeling of Being Bullied: A Cross-Sectional, Comparative Study

Abstract

(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.

Bullying experience and the work environment in nurses: A cross‐sectional data analysis

“…This result aligns with the previous research findings indicating that up to 40% of nurses annually experienced bullying in the workplace (Carter et al, 2013; Hutchinson et al, 2010; Quine, 2001; Sauer, 2018). This is an alarming rate, especially considering that exposure to workplace bullying is closely related to negative nurse outcomes such as work disengagement and burnout (Sauer, 2018; Serafin et al, 2022). According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) COVID‐19 impact assessment (2022), 66% of the nurses reported an increase in bullying at work during the pandemic and suggested that deteriorating work conditions during the pandemic were related to increased bullying (al Muharraq et al, 2022; Clegg, 1993; Huntington & Gilmour, 2001; Hutchinson et al, 2006).…”

Three good things: Promote work–life balance, reduce burnout, enhance reflection among newly licensed RNs

“…[11][12][13] Historically, experienced RNs precepted and mentored NLRNs on the clinical units but as the number of expert nurses (i.e., >5 years' experience) decreased so did the breadth and depth of the support and expertise that was available for new nursing staff. 4,6 This change in staffing mix can negatively impact NLRNs' self-confidence and contribute their feeling anxious and overwhelmed, making it more important than ever to implement timely, effective, evidence-based strategies to enhance the well-being among NLRNs.…”

“…Although the prevalence of burnout rates vary by geographic location, specialty area, and method of measurement, it is estimated that up to 48% of nurses are experiencing some degree of burnout 5–7 . This is a concern because of the inverse relationship that exists between high clinician burnout and worse patient outcomes such as lower satisfaction, higher mortality, and increased hospital‐associated infection rates 8,9 .…”

“…3,4 Although the prevalence of burnout rates vary by geographic location, specialty area, and method of measurement, it is estimated that up to 48% of nurses are experiencing some degree of burnout. [5][6][7] This is a concern because of the inverse relationship that exists between high clinician burnout and worse patient outcomes such as lower satisfaction, higher mortality, and increased hospital-associated infection rates. 8,9 In response, healthcare organizations have initiated myriad interventions to improve nurses' wellbeing, enhance work-life balance, and increase retention; however, these efforts often fall short in enhancing individuals' ability to cope with, adjust to, or recover from day-to-day work-related stressors.…”

New strategies to combat workplace incivility and promote joy

“…A research study of 275 new nursing graduates found 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 impacted the level of the subjective assessment of bullying. 10 The researchers identified increased work stress as one of the main risk factors contributing to nurse bullying. Complaints were not limited to faculty-to-faculty incivility but also included top-down incivility.…”