Addressing the root cause of bullying.

In response to replies regarding my letter "Pondering the Real Meaning of Care" (June issue, p3), I in no way wished to insult any individuals but simply shared my experience as a woman/nurse with Multiple Sclerosis and as a nurse working alongside others in a professional role.

As a patient, on-and-off, I can state in all good faith that many nurses I have been cared by appear to be tacking the fundamental "gift" of empathic care. I agree that age and/or experience are often inconsequential. I strongly agree with comments made by Jacquie Kidd ("Avoiding stereotypical nursing images", July issue, p4) that horizontal violence and/or bullying is alive and well in some institutions. It has almost become an accepted part of some perverse "right of passage" and is a sad reflection on what should be a caring profession, not only for those entrusted into our care but, perhaps more importantly, for our peers whom we work alongside day after day. "Bullying" is a term with broad implications, easily used and hard to defend yourself against, should you be accused of it. It is the "race" card of this century. Nursing as a whole needs to took inside itself and see what causative factors have brought us to this very sad place. Are we striking out in frustration at those most easily targeted, in response to a perceived lack of respect by other allied health professionals? Are our working conditions finally tipping us over the edge? We need to address the root cause, once it can be identified.

Jeanette Robins, RN, Stratford