The term “whistleblowing” first surfaced in the late years of the twentieth century. The concept is simple: when an employee sees their company or fellow colleagues partaking in deliberate wrongdoing that concerns public interest, they “blow the whistle” by reporting the misdeed to an authorized person or organization. The issues that can cause whistleblowing may include criminal activity, sexual or any other harassment, intentional misinformation, or discriminating behavior. A steady rise in whistleblowing accidents since the first appearance of the concept shows that the traditional companies’ policies and terms of partnership may prove to be more and more ineffective as the industries progress. Whistleblowing is an important practice that enhances ethical approaches in organizations, and the healthcare industry, specifically, as the one that protects public health, should support and encourage whistleblowers.
Heath services organizations appear to be one of the most problematic in the matter, as, for example, nurses often blow the whistle in fear of endangering their patient’s well-being. A wide variety of issues may arise in the process of treatment, and the nurses are often at the forefront of them due to their close proximity to patients. This includes collecting and maintaining confidential information about the organization, while simultaneously being responsible for the patient and their interests as well. The line between duty and responsibility is too fine, and it can often cause an ethical dilemma for nurses. Lachman (2008) discusses how nurses can be viewed as either troublemakers or virtuous savers for whistleblowing. In the article, Lachman (2008) indicates that the necessity to blow the whistle indicates an ethical failure present in the organization’s climate. Nurses are forced to take a stand against perceived injustice, which requires a fair amount of courage and confidence in one’s own judgment. The concept of whistleblowing, especially in healthcare, arises from the notion that public or individual good is more important than the organization’s interest, which makes it socially and lawfully justified for the nurse to act.
While it is indeed important to support whistleblowing in the work field, there is also a need to protect whistleblowers from the consequences of their actions. Personal outcomes of highlighting wrongdoings are usually negative and plenty, especially in the healthcare field (Curtin, 2019). Gagnon and Perron (2017) add that “when nurses blow the whistle, they tend to experience negative professional consequences, disciplinary actions, barriers to career advancement, alienation from their peers, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, bullying, and threats” (p. 386). Of course, positive consequences occur, too, including private or public thanking and support, but they are mostly diminished.
Furthermore, a negative reaction toward a whistleblowing nurse may result in increased stress, physical disturbances, and mental health disorders, as well as grave repercussions on their families. Curtin (2019) highlights that nurses might often even fear for their lives, providing an example of a young nurse whose car brakes were cut due to her whistleblowing, which resulted in an accident. Thus, it should be noted that the organizations which address the issues of whistleblowing should ensure more support to the nurses and protect their safety, as well as physical and mental health. Legal measures such as restraining orders or orders of protection must be enforced to provide security for whistleblowers, and the nurses who engage in the practice should be offered financial remuneration, shelter, and therapy. Moreover, special departments should be present at every organization that whistleblowing nurses can safely report to.
Whistleblowing is an important practice that can and should be used whenever an ethical dilemma arises. Nurses remain at the front lines of interacting with both patients and doctors, which places them in a position where they have the duty and the ability to act upon injustice through whistleblowing. However, it is also crucial to protect nurses who blow the whistle and expose perpetrators, as they are often endangered by their actions against organizations and/or specific individuals. The Healthcare industry should provide protection and resources for whistleblowers to promote the concept of “standing up” in the face of injustice, among others.
References
Curtin, L. (2019). When nurses speak up, they pay a price. American Nurse. Web.
Gagnon, M., & Perron, A. (2019). Whistleblowing: A concept analysis. Nursing & Health Sciences, 22(2), 381–389. Web.
Lachman V. D. (2008). Whistleblowers: Troublemakers or virtuous nurses? Medsurg Nursing: Official Journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, 17(2), 126–134.