Report: Verbal Abuse Common for New RNs

According to a new report, almost half of all newly licensed registered nurses (RNs) were verbally abused at work by their colleagues within the past three months.

Forty-nine percent of nurses said they had been verbally abused between one and five times in the past three months. Five percent reported being abused more than five times. Abuse tended to be more common on day shifts than during the night or on weekends. Those who worked 12-hour shifts reported abuse more frequently. 

The most common types of verbal abuse reported were being ignored or being spoken to condescendingly. 

Not surprisingly, the nurses who reported verbal abuse also reported being less satisfied with their jobs and view their jobs negatively. They also wished to resign, according to the report.

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