Bullying and disillusionment in veterinary nursing

ABSTRACT:

Aiming to determine the effect of bullying on disillusionment, registered (RVN) and student veterinary nurses (SVN) undertook an anonymous survey, where linear and dichotomous responses facilitated variable assessment. Of participants, 58.7% met the criterion for behavioural-measured bullying, with no significant difference between RVN and SVN scores (P = 0.335) or perception of bullying (RVN: P = 0.819, SVN: P = 0.176). Although 85.5% of disillusioned participants ranked as bullied, negative behaviours were not significant predictors of disillusionment (P = 0.6), but low incidence of positive behaviours were (P < 0.001), denoting an unexplored factor of disillusionment. Results indicate risk and complexity of bullying in veterinary nursing, suggesting requirement for further research.

Keywords: :

• bullying
• disillusionment
• mental health

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Abigail Newman MRes, PGCE, BSc Hons, FHEA for her time and invaluable support assisting with the data analysis of this project.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Suzanne Bedford

Suzanne is in her third year studying the foundation degree at Sparsholt College, Hampshire. She joined the BVNA as a Student Council Member in 2016 and is passionate about encouraging student contribution to the development of the profession. Her main interests include anatomy and emergency and critical care. Email: [email protected]

Emma Anscombe-Skirrow

Emma completed a BSc(Hons) Veterinary Nursing in 2008 and worked in general practice while completing a certificate in nursing of exotics, before becoming course tutor for FdSc Veterinary Nursing Science at University Centre Sparsholt. Emma completed the MSc Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health at University of Edinburgh in 2017. Email: [email protected]