I was in the security line at the airport behind a woman younger than me, who was drop dead gorgeous. As I stood there looking at her, I started comparing – she had nice full lips (mine are fish thin and getting thinner!); she had a button nose (mine is authentically Italian); and her hair was long and flowing. Beautiful.
As I looked at her, I started feeling inferior and that old familiar twinge of jealousy. Why couldn’t I have nice full lips or beautiful long hair? Why couldn’t I afford a Louis Vuitton travel bag (I can only imagine how expensive it was)?
And then I caught myself going down that ugly path – the path that leads to women treating other women poorly – the path to nurse bullying.
Bullying in the nursing profession is rampant! One reason (there are many) is that nursing is a female dominated profession (90%). And let’s face it ladies, we are not always that nice to each other.
Why aren’t women nice to each other?
It started many years ago when women used to compete against each other for the prized male. Their goal was to marry the doctor, banker or lawyer. When women entered the work force, there were only a few spots for leadership positions – so again, women had to compete against each other.
And the way we competed was to make other women look bad. Hence, women treating other women poorly.
Competition coupled with comparison (like I did at the airport) leads to feelings of inferiority – not believing we are good enough. And then to compensate, we treat other women badly, downplay their accomplishments, and sabotage their efforts.
Women are their own worst enemies.
Isn’t it time for this to stop?
How?
By celebrating the accomplishments of other women.
We need to compliment, encourage and do everything in our powers to advance and promote other women.
WAYS TO CELEBRATE OTHER WOMEN
Compliment – every day find a reason to compliment another woman. You can compliment something physical (her shoes, hair, travel bag, etc.), or compliment the way she presented at a meeting or conference.
Recognize – whenever you can, recognize the accomplishments of other women IN FRONT of other women. For example, you can say, “Congratulations to Tina for finishing her Master’s Degree” in front of your peers. Or, share with your co-workers how Amy went out of her way to help you prepare for your first presentation at a national conference.
Support – go out of your way to support other women and help them succeed. Period.
Nobody is going to fix this problem for us. WE…WOMEN…need to fix it. And we can.
Once I caught myself going down that ugly path, I stopped. Instead, I engaged in a conversation with this woman. As it turned out, I sat next to her on the airplane! She was lovely. So articulate, kind and accomplished. As we exited the airplane, in my mind I gave her a “You go girl!!”
We are amazing humans and we need to start acting like it.
Stay connected and be kind to each other!
Renee
What are your thoughts on this topic? Would love to hear from you!
7 thoughts on “Stop Nurse Bullying By Celebrating this Group”
I work on a Labor & Delivery unit that is predominately female. However, at night especially, we are required to help each other in times of emergency which can foster camaraderie, needed support and gossip. During these emergency situations I have seen nurses do amazing and not so amazing things. Not only do we have to celebrate each other, we have to help each other in a appropriate corrective action on a unit. Not gossip to other nurses about what Jane did during xyz situation, but take Jane aside quietly and say "Hey that was a really hard situation! You may want to do instead of to make the situation less stressful next time." Something every women't group should strive to do! Be supportive, be helpful and celebrate each other.
Thanks so much for sharing this Nicole. Proves that women CAN support and nurture!!
Great comments Nicole! You are so right. I really like your comment about how to approach a colleague who perhaps didn't handle a situation the best way – NOT talking about her behind her back but being honest and respectful. Also, recognize the difficult situations we get ourselves in!!
Great input Nicole!
Renee
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Yes! If women would just go out of their way to help each other succeed, there would be more successful women!