Black and Asian nurses less likely to be promoted and more likely to be bullied by colleagues

A new report by the Royal College of Nursing has highlighted the racism ‘endemic’ in the NHS.

The report analyses survey responses from nearly 10,000 nursing staff, and reveals that Black and Asian nurses are more likely to bullied by their co-workers and are less likely to receive a promotion.

Black nurses were also more likely to experience physical abuse while at work compared to white and Asian respondents and those of mixed ethnic backgrounds.

Black nurses are more likely to experience physical abuse

While nearly two thirds (64.3%) of respondents experienced verbal abuse and around a quarter (26%) experienced physical abuse, Black nurses were disproportionately affected by physical abuse.

Reports of verbal abuse, however, are as broadly prevalent among respondents from all ethnic backgrounds.

While some experiences of abuse were linked to frustrations with restrictions put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the majority of Black and Asian respondents who had experienced both verbal and physical abuse stated that it was discriminatory related to their ethnicity.

In addition, among nurses first registered outside the UK just over half (53.3%) who had experienced physical abuse said this was discriminatory related to their ethnicity, while just under half (44.9%) who experienced verbal abuse said the same.

Black and Asian nurses and those of mixed ethnic background are more likely to be bullied by colleagues

While roughly a third of respondents said they have experienced bullying by colleagues at work, Black, Asian and those of mixed ethnic background were significantly more likely to experience such behaviour (40.3%, 39.5% and 40.8% respectively).

Nurses who were registered overseas were also more likely (37.8%) to be bullied by those registered in the UK (34%). Roughly four in 10 (38%) internationally registered nurses said this was linked to their ethnicity, as one staff nurse in Scotland explains:

“The bullying, harassment and bad treatment I have received has left me scarred forever. They’ve made me look at nursing in this country in a very different perspective and the mere thought of me spending the rest of my life as a nurse in this country makes me really anxious.

“My family and I will be leaving this country in the next one or two months. Leaving my country to come here as a nurse was the worst decision we ever made.”

Black and Asian nurses less likely to be promoted

Respondents were also asked about their experiences of career progression within nursing, including whether they had been promoted since starting in the profession; how long it had taken to receive their first promotion; and about opportunities for career progression within their current jobs.

Overall, male and female respondents were equally as likely to have achieved at least one promotion in their careers, however, male respondents were more likely to get promoted earlier in their career.

However, Black and Asian respondents across all age groups are less likely than white respondents and those of mixed ethnic background to say they had received at least one promotion since starting their nursing career.

The difference appears most stark among those aged 35 to 44. While 65.9% of white and 64% of ethnic minority respondents state they have been promoted, this drops to just 38.3% of Asian and 35.2% of Black respondents.

“Deeply shocking”

Bruno Daniel, the RCN’s Diversity and Equalities Co-ordinator, described the findings of the survey as “deeply shockinh” and is now calling on the government to act. He said:

“The pandemic has shone a spotlight on structural racism in health and care services and we must seize this opportunity to stamp out this vile behaviour once and for all.

“The UK Government and devolved administrations must properly acknowledge and address this problem and the devastating impact it has on Black and ethnic minority staff and patients.”