Understanding the causes and consequences of envy among nurses: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim This scoping review presents an overview of the causes and consequences of envy among clinical nurses. Background Many nurses in the United States have in recent years left their permanent positions for temporary agency assignments that pay higher salaries. Although greed seems like a likely explanation for the rise in travel nursing, humans tend to have a particular interest in wanting what others have. Evaluation A five‐stage scoping review framework and the PRISMA‐ScR checklist guided this review. Key issues Social comparison and malicious envy are prevalent among nurses. Envy is a powerful emotion that affects human communication and behaviour in organizations. Scholars have underexplored the potential benefits of leveraging benign envy in the nursing context. Conclusion The results highlight the relational nature of envy. Social comparison and envy provide an insight that suggests that nurses who change jobs are not necessarily greedy. They may be seeking the right mix of tangible and intangible rewards. Implications for Nursing Management Greed and envy can motivate nurses to change jobs. Although envy and greed may produce the same outcome, they are qualitatively different. The motivation to change jobs alludes to nurses' desire to have better control of their professional and personal lives.

Continued challenges in pediatric anesthesia during COVID‐19 in 2022: An international survey from the pediatric anesthesia COVID‐19 collaborative

“…Many hospitals are facing a shortage of nurses (Figure 2B) and have resorted to hiring traveling nurses at higher costs to maintain adequate perioperative staffing. These traveling nurses often require extra training which also contributes to operating room inefficiency and resentment in staff 3 . This critical nursing shortage remains a major challenge for the future.…”

“…Additionally, hospitals continue to experience high levels of staff absenteeism from COVID‐19 infections or having to take care of family members with COVID‐19 or with associated symptoms of COVID‐19. This staffing shortage, especially among nurses, has resulted in hospitals hiring temporary nurses at higher levels of pay 3 …”

“…This staffing shortage, especially among nurses, has resulted in hospitals hiring temporary nurses at higher levels of pay. 3 Responses to our previous survey found that anesthesiologists experienced shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), reduction in nonclinical time, and reduction in their employment benefits. 4 Anesthesiologists continue to be physically, mentally, and economically impacted by COVID-19.…”

Trajectory analysis of the work and life experience of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal qualitative study

“…Jealousy arises when a person believes or perceives that another person (a competitor) is threatening his or her own source of material and psychological gain [ 34 ]. Research has shown that jealousy is a powerful emotion that can cause a range of hostile or unethical behaviors that endanger the physical and mental health of HCWs [ 35 ], thereby reducing the quality of work, affecting interpersonal communication and behavior in organizations, and hindering the development of professional roles [ 36 ]. The influence seems to be long-lasting, and many HCWs in our study repeatedly stressed not to share the experience voluntarily, otherwise it would be seen as showing off.…”

Psychology of envy towards medical colleagues

“…The purpose of this commentary is to analyse three robust findings from social psychology science that may be relevant to clinicians who might experience envy from interpersonal comparisons when practising with colleagues. 10 We recognise that envy is a controversial topic in psychology science and we focus attention on rigorous randomised laboratory experiments. 11 Of course, some comparisons may be essential for a profession to achieve ongoing progress by stimulating admiration and ambition.…”