Seeing Students Squirm: Nursing Students' Experiences of Bullying Behaviors During Clinical Rotations

Background: Bullying remains a troubling problem in the nursing profession. Nursing students may encounter bullying behavior in clinical settings. However, they may not be adequately prepared to recognize and handle bullying behavior when it occurs. This study's purpose was to gain a greater understanding of nursing students' experiences of bullying behaviors in the clinical setting. Method: Using a descriptive qualitative approach, eight focus groups were held with 56 undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students from four college campuses. Focus group data were coded and analyzed for themes. Results: Four categories were identified: Bullying Behaviors, Rationale for Bullying, Response to Bullying, and Recommendations to Address Bullying. Each category and its corresponding themes are presented. Conclusion: Interventions for nurse educators to address the bullying of nursing students in clinical settings are presented. [ J Nurs Educ. 2016;55(9):505–513.]