Updates from the Experts
The “Good Nurse” Narrative, Speaking Up, and the Prevention of Violence in the Workplace
Emily Hauenstein, PhD, LCP, MSN, FAAN
Research Professor and Professor Emerita, UVA School of Nursing
Associate Editor, Archives of Psychiatric Nursing
Date: Thursday, November 21st, 2024
Time: 4-5 PM
Patient and visitor verbal and physical assaults on nurses, and peer-to-peer incivility and bullying are increasing rapidly. While there are significant negative outcomes for nurses from these behaviors, nurses under report or do not report these assaults that endanger their physical and emotional well-being. Speaking up behaviors seem to be thwarted by other nurses and by nursing and hospital administration, but more importantly, nurses engage in self-imposed silence. There is evidence that nurses gradually learn to curtail speaking up behaviors as they move through their nursing education.
Dr. Hauenstein will present the “good nurse” narrative contrasting it with “good woman” narratives. Both of these are socio-cultural master narratives, narratives that are widely held, and shape behavior across individuals and social groups. A brief introduction to narrative identity theory and master narratives will be provided. Dr. Hauenstein will discuss how the “good nurse” master narrative affects speaking up behavior and self-advocacy, and how it supports on-going workplace assaultive behavior.
Dr. Hauenstein will discuss how nurses may be able to recognize attributes of self and the work environment that serve to silence them and various strategies they can use to strengthen their personal and professional voice. Specific emphasis will be placed on nursing education as a vehicle for setting expectations for a healthy workplace, and for speaking up as a means of actualizing that environment.
Target Audience: Nurses, Physician Assistants, Physicians, Students, and Researchers.
For more information, including continuing education accreditation information, see Hauenstein - Clinical Updates information.