4 ways nurses can reverse toxicity in their daily work culture

Still in crisis mode from the pandemic and its aftermath, many nurses are feeling tired and somewhat disgruntled, and may be looking for greener pastures.

However, the journey toward “greener grass” can begin without hopping the fence, suggests Jill Graham, BSN, RN.

As a surgical services co-educator (and her team’s unofficial counselor and mediator), Graham made it her mission to foster a less toxic culture in nursing, starting with her own practice.

She realized that “culture healing will not happen until we as individuals choose something different and commit to making a difference in our little bubble of culture.”

She gave us four excellent ways nurses can make basic changes in mindset that can ignite and spread a culture of healing.

1. Don’t Add to Negativity

Repeatedly bringing up a colleague's mistake doesn't make anyone feel good. When you choose not to dwell on a colleague's mistake, you are respecting their humanity. If there is a conversation that needs to happen to process an event, go privately to a trusted coworker, but be careful not to let it degenerate into a bashing session. Instead, focus on finding solutions.

1. Shut Down the Racetrack

We often let our mistakes play over and over in our head or engage in the same disheartening interactions with coworkers. Make a conscious choice to stop dwelling on it. To do this, acknowledge how the situation makes you feel, determine to have a conversation (if needed), and then move on. Ultimately, avoid defining your coworkers, or yourself, by their mistakes.

1. Recognize Things Aren’t All Bad

Culture only begins to heal when we objectively see the truth of what is happening. Even on a 'bad' day, there are many things to be grateful for: coworkers, camaraderie, positive patient outcomes, your abilities, and technology, among others. When you frame your day differently, you genuinely start to feel better and lighter.

1. Just Smile

Research shows that simply smiling can bring your mood up as well as those around you. It may feel fake (especially behind a mask), but there is always something to smile about. The more you focus on being the positive change agent, the more you will see positivity.