Exploring Vulnerability to Stress and Its Correlation with Bullying in the Nurse’s Workplace

Background: Vulnerability to stress is associated with susceptibility to react to certain events, taking into account individual factors, beliefs, and available resources. Workplace bullying increases stress, absenteeism, and turnover among nurses, creating a toxic environment. This negatively impacts their well-being and compromises the quality of nursing care. As a result, patient safety and healthcare outcomes may be affected. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of vulnerability to stress in Portuguese nurses and its relationship with the experience of workplace bullying. Methodology: This study used a descriptive-correlational approach with a cross-sectional design. The data collection instrument used was a questionnaire consisting of a sociodemographic component and a scale assessing vulnerability to stress (QVS-23) and workplace bullying (NAQ-R). The total sample consisted of 2015 nurses working in healthcare institutions. Results: Nurses who perceived themselves as victims of workplace bullying were shown to be more vulnerable to stress, with a higher mean value for perfectionism and dramatization of existence, inhibition and functional dependence, lack of support and deprivation of affection, intolerance of frustration and rejection, and adverse living conditions. Conclusions: Organizations must create a healthy, respectful, and productive working environment by identifying the various factors that make them vulnerable to stress in the workplace. They must also act to prevent workplace bullying, thus protecting the health of nurses and promoting positive relationships and a harmonious work culture.