Who is most likely to face the highest risk of being bullied in the workplace?

Individuals who are new to a workplace, such as a registered nurse who graduated three months ago, often face the highest risk of being bullied. This vulnerability is primarily due to their lack of experience in navigating the workplace culture, establishing connections, and asserting themselves within their roles. Newly graduated nurses are still acclimating to the professional environment, and their relative inexperience can make them targets for more tenured staff, especially if they appear uncertain or overwhelmed.

In contrast, those with more experience, such as a nurse with over ten years in the field or a nurse manager trained in leadership, typically possess better skills for conflict resolution and are often respected for their expertise. They are generally less likely to face bullying as they are more established and recognized by their peers. Similarly, an RN in a specialty area is likely to have expertise that commands respect and mitigates risks of being bullied. Therefore, the newly graduated nurse, due to their transitional status and inexperience, is indeed the most likely to experience bullying in the workplace.