Look what arrived today! 🙌🏼
Step 1. About a year ago, I wrote this article
Step 2. About 9 months ago it was accepted
Step 3. Printed in March, online access
Didn’t feel “real” until I actually held the publication in my hand. 😮
Someone recently asked, “is your article on bullying evidenced based?” And I paused - What an odd question, regarding this sensitive topic;
And, then I reviewed what I had originally written - and noted some of the most vital statistics (research they had requested, actually) had been removed.
They removed vital data on the prevalence of post traumatic stress disorder, suicide, and depression - that studies have shown to be been linked to lateral violence.
Just because you don’t see it, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Just because you’re ignoring it, or rolling your eyes at it, it also doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, or won’t occur.
I wrote this article with the idea in mind of the detrimental side effects bullying brings about.
Dear reputable media: Remove the stigma of mental health, please.
(Note on the cover one very important mental health issue they’re spreading awareness about. This gives me hope that we will someday get there).
I specifically chose this journal, over journals more widely credited or known in administrative or education circles. I chose this one, as subscribers include not just experienced nurses, but nursing students as well. A very simple journal. A deliberate marketing ploy, which confused a few administrative naysayers wondering why it wasn’t in a journal they knew.
At the start of last year, I focused on securing two plans; a stable job as a Nurse Educator, and spreading awareness of nurse bullying nationally. I achieved both, and I don’t think we often stop to appreciate the limited times we actually attain our goals. I have no idea if I’m supposed to keep on as a Nurse, or educator, or even if writing is the right path, but I do know I am eternally grateful for that brief moment in time when I attained what I set out to do.
I very much appreciate the people who supported me when I wasn’t sure I could do this, but I perhaps also appreciate that I kept my own drive.
It’s the things you think you cannot do that surprise you in retrospect when you do it.
