Geraldine Irlbacher
- B.Sc.N. (University of Alberta, 2008)
- M.Ed. (University of Alberta, 2006)
- B.Ed. (University of Alberta, 2004)
Topic
Navigating the estuary: Understanding nursing students experience of bullying in the clinical environment during the COVID-19 pandemic
School of Nursing
Date & location
- Thursday, April 23, 2026
- 1:00 P.M.
- Virtual Defence
Examining Committee
Supervisory Committee
- Dr. Lenora Marcellus, School of Nursing, University of Victoria (Co-Supervisor)
- Dr. Ingrid Handlovsky, School of Nursing, UVic (Co-Supervisor)
- Dr. Joan Humphries, School of Nursing, UVic (Member)
- Dr. Tanya Park, College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University (Outside Member)
External Examiner
- Dr. Florriann Fehr, School of Nursing, Thompson Rivers University
Chair of Oral Examination
- Dr. Kimberly Speers, School of Public Administration, UVic
Abstract
Bullying in the clinical environment is a phenomenon that persists in nursing education. Nursing students experiencing bullying are at risk for leaving their nursing program and subsequently the profession. Retention of nursing students has become of utmost importance to the nursing profession as a worldwide critical shortage of nurses looms. The literature is rife with discussions that draw attention to the phenomenon of bullying in the clinical environment and reports that bullying remains widespread within the nursing profession. The COVID-19 pandemic presented uncertainty that profoundly influenced the clinical setting as it altered the context of care provision and introduced stress to an already stretched healthcare environment. My desire to find meaning and develop an understanding of nursing students' perspectives of bullying is fuelled by the overarching, guiding question: What is the nursing students’ experience of bullying in the clinical environment during the COVID-19 pandemic? Twelve nursing students from across Canada were interviewed. The conversations were interpreted using Gadamerian hermeneutic methodology. Incorporating hermeneutics as a research approach in the context of the clinical environment created an opportunity to learn from the experiences of nursing students and identify areas for development that contribute to nursing student retention. This study gives voice to the student experience and provides deeper understanding of the challenges faced by nursing students who have experienced bullying. From this study, interventions that can be used to minimize or eradicate a bullying culture in nursing are suggested.