Abstract

Registered nurses constitute the largest proportion of the healthcare workforce in the United States. According to the department of labor, registered nurses hold more than 2.6 million jobs. 92.1% of them are female. Studies indicate that approximately 17 of every 20 nurses have experienced some form of workplace sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined by the federal government as a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. A hostile work environment involves unwelcome sexual conduct, threatening or humiliating behavior that may interfere with work performance. Bullying involves repeatedly poor treatment of a person that can include abuse of power and degradation. This paper describes findings from a focus group of nurses that experienced sexual harassment and/or bullying. Several issues were explored, including childhood and dating experiences, marital status, and ability to communicate with spouse/partners, as well as the spiritual impact the participants described. Spirituality is recognized as the deeply personal values, beliefs, and perceptions that guide behavior. Spirituality is influenced early in childhood and is linked to physical and mental health status. A better understanding of the influence of sexual harassment and/or bullying on an individual’s spiritual orientation could influence personnel policies, sexual harassment training, and counseling programs.