This week I want to share about caring in the workplace. I have been in both roles when it comes to workplace bullying. I have been a perpetrator and I have been a victim. Both roles are horrible, but being a victim has potential effects that can linger for a lifetime. More importantly, being the perpetrator is unacceptable.
Since this is February and we celebrate Valentine's Day and it is the American Heart Association's "Heart Month," I wanted to spend this month talking about how caring makes a difference in your environment.
Caring is defined as displaying kindness and concern for others (dictionary.com). Nursing is considered a caring profession. There has been a lot of discussion in the nursing world about violence and bullying in nursing. How is it that there is so much violence in nursing?
Are nurses so stressed that the only way to relieve this stress is to be violent to others? Is there not enough education provided on how to be caring to others? Do we tolerate this behavior and therefore violence has gotten worse?
All of the aforementioned can contribute to the problem. Let me share with you a few ways to diminish the hate and share the love. May we practice caring in our environment.
1. Be nice. Isn't this what our parents told us to do? Being nice to others can make a difference for everyone. When we are nice, others around us tend to be nice too, and if they are not nice then it is not a problem with us but with them. See, we can only control our own behavior so if your co-worker is being hateful, maybe he or she needs to see what nice looks like and you can be that example
. Go ahead, I dare you to be nice to your coworkers for three days and see what happens. Be nice even if they are not nice.
2. No tolerance. There is no reason to allow someone to be mean to you. Have you ever heard of the saying that people will treat you the way you allow them to treat you? So if you allow a person to be mean to you then people will be mean to you. DO NOT ACCEPT this behavior from anyone. This probably seems challenging, like how can I stop people from being mean to me? First, you have to tell them. Some people really do not know they are being mean and once they are aware of this most people will change their behavior. If this behavior does not change and continues, there are steps to be taken through the chain of command to notify superiors of this behavior. This too is very challenging, but if someone doesn't stand up for what is right we will continue down this path of violence.
3. Do not allow the behavior to destroy your spirit. Know who you are and who's you are...if you are a child of God use your light to shine on the darkness in your world and environment. Pray and know that God can do all things, even change a toxic environment. This world is hurting enough and we cannot stand by and allow this behavior to continue. Nurses reach people during some of the most highest and lowest points in their lives. I believe God has placed us on Holy ground when we care for others who are hurting. Let us not allow a toxic environment to destroy this honored position.
Be blessed and look for week 2 of #4weeksoflove next week.
Love Always,
NurseNicelyRN
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