DENVER, Jan. 22, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Contrary to what has been reported in the news media, there is not a licensed nurse shortage. Nor is "disruptive physician behavior" the primary reason why nurses quit their jobs (VHA Study published in Modern Healthcare magazine June 5, 2002).
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.briles.com/media/jbheadshot.html
"What there is," says best-selling author and nationally known speaker Dr. Judith Briles, "is a growing number of professional nurses who've simply had it with rotten behavior in nursing and have opted to do something else to make a living."
Few are willing to admit that conflict, sabotage and bullying exist in their organizations. Yet it does, and it's increasing.
"Health care must de-tox itself," Briles says. "Last year, 94,000 nursing vacancies were reported. Were (and are) there licensed nurses available? Absolutely! They choose to not work in a toxic workplace."
Briles has researched, published and presented to thousands on this crucial topic. Her latest work, "Zapping Conflict in the Health Care Workplace" (Mile High Press, $29) is based on two independent surveys of 3,000 health care professionals.
When asked if conflict had increased in the past five years, over 85 percent stated it had;
When asked if the respondent had quit a job because of abusive behavior, over 45 percent said that they had;
When asked who the abuser was, the primary creator was the manager, followed by co-workers, patients' families, the patient and, lastly, the physician; and
when asked if the abusive party were eliminated would they return to the workplace, 48 percent said no.
"While millions of dollars are being poured into ambitious nurse recruiting campaigns as a Band-Aid(r) measure to stop the shortage, only a few wise and savvy organizations are catching onto the proven results of changing toxic behaviors in a female-dominated workplace like nursing," Briles says. "It doesn't do any good to get them through the front door if they're going to run out the back door in disgust."
Bullying, sabotage and abuse in the workplace must be addressed in order to increase patient safety and return millions of dollars to actual patient care, Briles says.
"It's going to take strong medicine to cure the problem, and `Zapping Conflict in the Health Care Workplace' is the drug of choice," she says.
Judith Briles, MBA, Ph.D. is a professional speaker, researcher and award-winning author of numerous books. Her best-selling titles include "Woman to Woman 2000 - Becoming Sabotage Savvy in the New Millennium," "The Confidence Factor - Cosmic Gooses Lay Golden Eggs" and "Stop Stabbing Yourself in the Back."
She is a proven media guest with over 1,000 radio and TV show appearances, from CNN to CNBC to "Good Morning America." Her work has been featured in national print including The Wall Street Journal, Time and USA Today.
Visit Dr. Briles' Media Room at www.briles.com/media.
To arrange for an interview or request a review copy, contact:
The Briles Group Kay Wallace (303)627-9179 kay@briles.com
Editors: A photo of Briles is available via The Briles Group website at www.briles.com/media.