The Silent Threat: Nurse Bullying and Its Impact on Nurse Burnout
- Kathryn Fitts
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 2
Understanding the Depth of Nurse Bullying
Nurse bullying is more than just a toxic workplace habit — it’s one of the most overlooked drivers of nurse burnout. It chips away at confidence, creates constant stress, and pushes talented nurses out of the profession altogether. I recently wrote my LinkedIn Newsletter, The Healing Passport, about this very subject.
This issue doesn’t just affect new graduates. Nurse bullying can show up at every stage of a career — and it doesn’t only come from fellow nurses. It can stem from:
Doctors
Techs
Supervisors
Administrators
I wrote my post in response to a recent article on nurse.org about nurse bullying. The article cites causes like hierarchical structures, generational clashes, and workplace stress, but I believe there’s a deeper root: unprocessed trauma and nervous system dysregulation, both in the bully and within the workplace culture.
When Bullying Becomes Burnout
Bullying in nursing doesn’t just hurt feelings — it impacts physical and mental health. Prolonged exposure to intimidation, belittling, or exclusion can lead to:
Chronic anxiety and depression
Physical illness from stress hormones
Emotional exhaustion and compassion fatigue
Loss of passion for patient care
All of these are hallmark signs of nurse burnout. When burnout spreads, it affects patient safety, teamwork, and retention — costing the healthcare system in more ways than one.
My Story: From Burnout to Healing
I’ve lived through nurse bullying more than once. Early in my career, I was belittled and gaslit by colleagues. Later, I faced false accusations that attacked not just my skills but my integrity. I lost a close friend to the bullying in the process, with no conversation or closure.
These experiences took a toll. They weren’t just professional setbacks — they were personal wounds that pushed me closer to burnout. My nervous system was constantly in fight-or-flight mode, and my health began to suffer both physically and emotionally.
Over time, I realized I needed more than just a new job to heal. I needed to address my own boundaries, regulate my nervous system, and step away from the environments that were draining me.
The Link Between Nurse Bullying and Nurse Burnout
When you combine the pressures of patient care, chronic understaffing, and a culture that tolerates or ignores bullying, burnout is almost inevitable. Here’s why:
Psychological Safety is Lost – You stop feeling safe to speak up, ask questions, or admit mistakes.
Isolation Grows – Bullying often involves exclusion or gossip, cutting nurses off from peer support.
Stress Becomes Chronic – The body can’t recover when it’s constantly flooded with cortisol and adrenaline.
Until nurse bullying is addressed at both an organizational and personal level, burnout will remain a widespread crisis in healthcare.
A Different Path: Nurse Wellness Through Joy and Connection
Breaking free from the cycle of bullying and burnout means prioritizing nurse wellness. That’s not just bubble baths and yoga — it’s about:
Nervous system regulation to recover from chronic stress
Community support with people who uplift and encourage
Boundaries and self-respect that protect your emotional energy
Joy and play to restore your sense of self
One of the most overlooked tools for nurse wellness is travel. When you immerse yourself in new cultures, explore beautiful destinations, and share experiences with like-minded people, your body releases dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin — the very hormones that counter burnout.
While travel certainly won't cure burnout, it sure is a good start!
My Vision: Healing Through Travel
I created Never Lost Travel in 2022 with nurses in mind. Through Never Lost Travel, my long-term goal is to create healing retreats for nurses — safe spaces to rest, connect, and process away from the chaos of healthcare.
While those retreats are in the works, you can start reclaiming your joy now. In 2026, I’ll be leading small-group trips to:
Turkey (details coming soon -subscribe for updates)
Bali healing retreat (details coming soon - subscribe for updates)
Because sometimes the first step in healing from nurse bullying and preventing burnout is simply getting away — breaking the routine, seeing the world, and remembering what it feels like to breathe again.
Final Thoughts
Nurse bullying is not just an interpersonal problem — it’s a professional crisis fueling nurse burnout. We can’t fix the system overnight, but we can take responsibility for our own healing.
If you’re ready to step away from the stress and into joy, connection, and renewal, join me on one of our upcoming journeys. You deserve it!!
Visit neverlosttravel.net to learn more.
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