Nurses facing workplace bullying to receive support via new SOS channel

In response to a tragic case of nurse suicide linked to severe workplace bullying, the Korean Nurses Association (KNA) has established an "SOS Support Channel" to aid nurses experiencing distress. The new service aims to provide comprehensive, one-stop assistance for issues ranging from workplace harassment and burnout to legal and psychological challenges.

The KNA announced on July 6 that the support system is designed to offer prompt responses to the psychological, labor, and legal problems nurses encounter in their demanding work environments. The "Don't Endure Alone. The KNA is with You" campaign includes four main pillars: crisis and grievance support, psychological counseling, labor consulting, and legal advice.

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Nurses dedicate themselves more than anyone to protect patients' lives, but they often endure their own difficulties alone.

Specialized counselors will be available 24/7 for crisis and grievance support, helping nurses navigate workplace difficulties. Professional psychologists will offer counseling for stress and burnout, while certified labor attorneys will address issues like workplace bullying, wage disputes, and contract problems. A dedicated lawyer, with a nursing background, will provide legal counsel for medical malpractice, licensing, and other work-related legal matters.

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'Taeeum' is violence that cannot be justified under the guise of education, tradition, or organizational culture.

This initiative comes in the wake of the death of Kang Soo-bin, a nurse at a hospital in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, who allegedly suffered prolonged bullying from senior colleagues before her death. Her case has intensified calls within the medical community for improved hospital workplace cultures and preventative measures. The KNA emphasized that the support channel is crucial given the increasing mental and physical burdens nurses face in the evolving healthcare landscape.

Government and local authorities are also taking action. President Lee Jae-myung has directed the government to develop measures to prevent such incidents, denouncing "taeeum", the Korean term for workplace bullying, as unacceptable violence. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to enhance support through a nursing workforce center, offering reporting assistance and organizational consulting. Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae has ordered investigations into workplace bullying at provincial hospitals and plans to establish dedicated labor support teams.

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Taeeum is not education, but clear workplace harassment.