American Nurses Association Releases New Position Statement on Incivility and Bullying in Nursing
New guidance calls on nurses, leaders, and organizations to take shared action against harmful workforce behaviors
SILVER SPRING, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA) has released a new position statement establishing clear expectations for preventing and addressing incivility and bullying across nursing and healthcare settings. The statement reaffirms ANA’s commitment to fostering healthy work environments grounded in respect, accountability, and professional conduct.
Incivility and bullying can contribute to psychological harm, team disruption, and nurse turnover. Addressing these behaviors is especially urgent when the nursing profession and the nation’s healthcare system need nurses to feel supported and empowered when delivering safe, high-quality care.
“Nurses deserve workplaces where respect is the standard and harmful behaviors are addressed, not normalized,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, president of the American Nurses Association. “That requires clear, respectful communication across all settings and through every channel. It also requires each of us to support colleagues who experience incivility or bullying and to take an active role in resolving conflict.”
The position statement is intended to clarify expectations for preventing and responding to incivility and bullying and reinforces the shared responsibility of nurses, leaders, and organizations to act across practice, academic, research, and clinical learning environments. It is grounded in the profession’s ethical foundation, including the Code of Ethics for Nurses, which calls on nurses to foster an ethical environment and a culture of civility.
Read the full position statement and learn more about preventing and addressing incivility and bullying in the nursing profession at nursingworld.org.
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About the American Nurses Association
As the preeminent organization representing more than 5 million nurses, the American Nurses Association stands at the forefront of advancing nursing excellence. The association harnesses The Power of Nurses
to champion the profession and drive transformation in healthcare. Through legislative and political advocacy, comprehensive educational services, and the profession’s leading Code of Ethics and Scope and Standards, the association empowers nurses across every specialty and practice setting. The association is committed to ensuring healthy work environments, shaping pioneering policies, and cultivating partnerships that enhance both the nursing profession and the broader healthcare experience.