Hospital politics refers to the informal interpersonal relationships medical staff create in the organization to enhance their status and fulfilling personal interests. By definition, this doesn’t sound harmful, however, politics becomes a threat to unity when medical staff use it to slander colleagues or get them fired. That’s why it’s necessary to figure out how to avoid toxic hospital politics.
Who Are The Perpetrators Of Toxic Hospital Politics?
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Staff Members That Are Experiencing Career Stagnation
Career stagnation causes an individual to feel resentment towards colleagues, especially newly hired staff. This negativity stems from the fear of getting replaced because the individual feels entitled to the position they’ve held for several years. Such people will use their relationships with their employers to frustrate the career growth of perceived threats.
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Colleagues or Managers That Are Bitter Over Rejected Sexual/Romantic Advances
Female nurses can sometimes find themselves receiving an unusual level of attention from colleagues, supervisors, or managers heading various departments. Healthcare providers who adhere to high moral standards will reject dates and other forms of romantic advances. If the rejected individual has a high sense of self-entitlement, he might spread malicious rumors about the female nurse to humiliate her.
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Retaliation For Reporting Substance Abuse
A coworker who finds out that a particular colleague reported their chemical impairment to the supervisor will hold a grudge and feel an urge to revenge. They can resort to drawing the hospital management’s attention to make sure that their perceived enemy gets fired by spreading lies.
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Insecure Nurse Supervisors
Sometimes, an RN or LPN may say or do something that appears to be publicly challenging the supervisor’s authority. For instance, correcting a nurse leader in the presence of colleagues can stir up personal insecurities, since the supervisor might get the impression that you think he or she is brainless. Such leaders are dangerous because they might feel the urge to retaliate by making their victims experience public humiliation.
Tips Nurses Can Use To Avoid Getting Entangled In Toxic Hospital Politics
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Apply Prudence When Choosing Friends
Prudence is the ability to exercise caution and judgment in the decision-making process. It’s advisable to first study the behavior of other nurses and how they relate with colleagues before bonding with them. You don’t want to become friends with someone who will leak your confidential information in the presence of other colleagues.
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Don’t Announce Your Next Move
Coworkers that have settled into mediocrity by allowing themselves to get stuck in career stagnation feel envious of ambitious colleagues. It would be catastrophic to announce your intention of going back to medical school for a bridging program because envious colleagues might decide to taint your reputation to block promotions.
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Be Completely Honest With Your Supervisors and Other Bosses
Supervisors respect workers who approach them directly to raise issues because it displays respect towards authority. It’s also easier to find solutions where there’s mutual respect compared to holding negotiations in a tense environment.
Murmuring about issues, on the other hand, is detrimental to one’s career because it can rub an insecure supervisor the wrong way. He or she might think that you’re trying to get other nurses to rebel against the supervisor’s authority.
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Protect Coworkers Who Are Suffering From Unwarranted Personal Attacks
Surviving toxic hospital politics is not a walk in the park because an individual has to stay vigilant to spot backstabbers. It’s quite unfortunate that student nurses and newly graduated caregivers find themselves on the receiving end of toxic office politics because they lack someone to defend them.
The best way of eliminating such negativity is by rising to defend coworkers against malicious attacks. This involves exposing colleagues that might be trying to coerce other workers into serving their selfish interests.
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Consider Resigning If The Workplace Is Overwhelmingly Toxic
Perhaps you’ve done your best to treat colleagues with respect however there’s just so much backstabbing taking place that it hinders you from performing your work at maximum productivity. The best option is handing in your resignation because toxic environments are a hazard to mental health.
Toxic Hospital Politics Affect Everybody
The best way of eliminating toxic hospital politics is by ensuring that you avoid coworkers spreading negativity.