Summary
Nurses involved in whistleblowing often face economic and emotional retaliation, victimization
and abuse. Yet for many nurses, one major part of their whistleblowing experience
is the negative impact it has on their families. This paper reports findings from
a qualitative study pertaining to the effects of whistleblowing on family life from
the perspective of the nurses. Using a narrative inquiry approach, fourteen nurses
were interviewed who were directly involved in whistleblowing complaints. Data analysis
drew out three themes: strained relationships with family members, dislocation of
family life, and exposing family to public scrutiny. The harm caused to the nurses
involved in a whistleblowing event is not restricted to one party but to all those
involved, as the harrowing experience and its consequences are echoed in the family
life as well. It is important for organizations to seek strategies that will minimize
the harmful effects on nurses’ families during whistleblowing events.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 30, 2011
Accepted:
May 10,
2011
Received in revised form:
April 27,
2011
Received:
November 18,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
