Nurse managers should resist pressure from above to force nurses and midwives to comply with unsafe practices, Brett Holmes told the NSWNMA conference.
He said nurses in management roles were also required to meet standards outlined in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s professional practice framework.
The NSWNMA was aware that some nurses and midwives who tried to raise concerns about staffing felt bullied by their managers.
“I want to remind everyone here that bullying of nurses and midwives attempting to act in the public interest is contrary to professional standards,” he said.
“I understand that many managers feel pressure from above to force nurses and midwives to comply with unsafe practices because that will cover up a problem and get higher management off their backs.
“Repeatedly forcing compliance against the professional judgement of a nurse or midwife is likely to be perceived as bullying.
“To anyone who finds themselves in such a situation, remember your obligations under the professional practice framework. You are autonomous professionals accountable for your own actions. You need to be able to justify your actions under the terms of the professional practice framework.”
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