Sexual harassment in nursing: Ethical considerations and recommendations

Abstract

Sexual harassment has been increasingly identified as an issue of gender, role, power, society, and organizational demographics. Fear of reporting and the stigma attached to victims must be removed. Identifying and addressing sexual harassment in nursing is one of the most challenging tasks of nursing leadership and organization management. Promoting values and standards that shape behaviors, decisions, and relationships is key to instilling an ethics driven organizational culture and providing a safe environment. This article offers key definitions, and discusses ethical obligations to address sexual harassment in nursing. In addition, the authors offer recommendations for healthcare organizations and nurses, and general implications for practice. Establishing these measures, along with enforced zero-tolerance policies, modeling appropriate behaviors, and empowering nurses, is necessary to eradicate sexual harassment in the workplace.