Trial and retribution: a qualitative study of whistleblowing and workplace relationships in nursing

Authors

Debra Jackson, University of Western Sydney
Kathleen Peters, University of Western Sydney
Sharon Andrew, University of Western Sydney
Michel Edenborough, University of Western Sydney
Elizabeth Halcomb, University of Western SydneyFollow
Lauretta Luck, University of Western Sydney
Yenna Salamonson, University of Western Sydney
Roslyn Weaver, University of Western SydneyFollow
Lesley Wilkes, University of Western Sydney

RIS ID

79264

Publication Details

Jackson, D., Peters, K., Andrew, S., Edenborough, M., Halcomb, E., Luck, L., Salamonson, Y., Weaver, R. & Wilkes, L. (2010). Trial and retribution: a qualitative study of whistleblowing and workplace relationships in nursing. Contemporary Nurse, 36 (1-2), 34-44.

Abstract

Internationally, the health system is under considerable pressure and it is not likely that whistleblowing events will diminish in the future. Whistleblowers can lose their employment, be bullied and unsupported by management and colleagues, and have their collegial relationships destroyed. Given the importance of workplace relationships and collegial trust in nursing, it is clearly damaging to have seriously fractured relationships in the workplace. Nursing and health care organisations are challenged to work to develop supportive cultures of trust that will enable nurses and other health care professionals to safely raise legitimate concerns about patient care and safety.