A qualitative study on the experiences and coping strategies of nursing interns facing bullying in nursing education.

BACKGROUND

Clinical internships serve as a significant practical application for nursing students to utilize their theoretical knowledge in resolving actual patient care issues, and they are also a crucial complement and continuation of classroom teaching in medical institutions of various levels. However, the occurrence of bullying behaviors among nursing students during clinical internships significantly reduces the effectiveness of clinical nursing education, severely impairs the physical and mental health of intern nurses, and adversely impacts their future career choices and the long-term development of the nursing workforce. Currently, there is limited research attention on nursing education bullying in China.

AIM

To understand the experiences and coping strategies of nursing interns in top-tier hospitals facing nursing education bullying, providing a reference for developing scientific psychological intervention and support strategies.

DESIGN

This is a descriptive qualitative study.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirteen nursing interns.

METHODS

Using a descriptive phenomenological research approach, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 nursing interns from a top-tier hospital from March 2023 to June 2023. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step analysis method.

FINDINGS

Five themes were identified: negative emotional experiences of bullying behaviors; the impact on clinical internship; the impact on professional ideology; lack of effective coping and support; the cultivation and growth of psychological resilience.

CONCLUSION

Nursing education bullying causes severe psychological distress to nursing interns and may impact their professional values. Clinical nursing managers should pay attention to bullying phenomena in clinical nursing education, emphasize the quality education of clinical mentors, provide psychological counseling and support to nursing interns experiencing this phenomenon, and promote their physical and mental health.