Nurses' perspectives on workplace mistreatment: A qualitative study

An accurate understanding of workplace mistreatment and its impacts on nurses is crucial to hospital managers. A qualitative approach using conventional content analysis was adopted in this study to describe the perspectives of a sample of Iranian nurses concerning workplace mistreatment. After analyzing the transcribed interviews, three main themes emerged: (i) Demand for a more humanistic and appreciative environment; this theme consisted of three categories: “incompetent management practice”, “invisibility of nurses”, and “unethical behaviors”; (ii) Unprofessional interpersonal encounters which included three categories: “poorly defined job characteristics”, “nurses’ poor performance”, and “inefficient supportive means and structures”; and (iii) Inaction despite injury, consisting of two categories: “passive and ineffective ways of coping with mistreatment”, and “personal and professional negative impacts”. Findings from this study can guide further investigation within diverse populations of Iranian nurses, as well as worldwide, in order for firm conclusions to be drawn. Future research could compare the perspectives of other stakeholders – patients and relatives, physicians, and managers concerning workplace mistreatment.