A new review of 21 studies from nine countries, mostly in China, Egypt, and Pakistan, looked at how workplace ostracism affects nurses. Workplace ostracism means feeling ignored, excluded, or left out by coworkers or supervisors. The review found that this experience is linked to poorer psychological wellbeing, changes in work-related behaviors, and problems with individual psychological health, professional behavior, and organizational functioning.
The studies suggest that ostracism may work through several pathways, such as draining psychological resources, reducing a nurse's sense of belonging to the organization, and impairing communication. However, the review notes that most studies were cross-sectional, meaning they only captured a snapshot in time. This makes it impossible to say whether ostracism causes these problems or if other factors are at play.
The review also points out that there was limited variety in research methods, with few studies following nurses over time or using in-depth interviews. This means the evidence is still early and not strong enough to prove cause and effect.
For nursing managers, the findings highlight the importance of addressing leadership behaviors, team culture, communication safety, and organizational support to reduce workplace ostracism. But more longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to clarify how ostracism affects nurses and what can be done about it.
For nurses who feel ostracized, it's important to know that this is a recognized issue, and seeking support from trusted colleagues or supervisors may be helpful. However, this review does not provide specific advice on what individuals should do.
