Young Australian nurse reveals shocking hospital secrets you need to know

When we think of hospitals, we often picture bustling corridors, dedicated staff, and a sense of safety. 

But what if the reality behind those swinging doors is far more complicated? 

A young Australian nurse, Saida, has bravely peeled back the curtain, exposing a side of hospital life that rarely makes the headlines: a toxic workplace culture fuelled by tall poppy syndrome and relentless bullying. 

The hidden struggles behind the scrubs

Saida, like many new nurses, entered the profession with optimism and a hunger to learn. She was ‘bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, optimistic, wanting to learn everything that I can learn; like, asking all the questions’. 

But her enthusiasm quickly met a wall of hostility. Instead of encouragement, she found herself the target of bullying, not for making mistakes, but for doing well.

Tall poppy syndrome, that uniquely Australian tendency to cut down those who stand out, is alive and well in our hospitals, according to Saida. 

After returning from her wedding and honeymoon, she was filled with anxiety about going back to work. 

‘I have prepared my uniform, my meals for the rest of the week. I’m just full of anxiety because tall poppy syndrome is so prevalent in the nursing field,’ she shared.

Bullying in the break room

The bullying wasn’t subtle. Saida was berated for taking her designated lunch breaks—a basic right in any workplace. 

One colleague even questioned why she bothered to eat, since ‘other nurses would not regularly take them’. Saida’s response was both witty and telling: ‘I think you have a lot of pent-up energy because you’re hungry. You get no sunlight and you have no movement.’

But the jokes couldn’t mask the pain. Saida admitted to ‘crying countless times’ and feeling her work environment ‘got worse’. 

When she sought advice from a more experienced nurse, she was told, ‘You’re just doing really well, that’s the only problem.’ Instead of support, her success made her a target.

A culture of cliques and burnout

Saida’s story isn’t unique. She described the hospital environment as ‘cliquey’, with little kindness to spare. 

‘I’m genuinely scared that by being in this environment for long enough that I will become a by-product of my environment and I’ll become a bit of a [expletive] as well,’ she confessed.

Her advice to new nurses is simple but powerful: ‘Take your walks, take your meals, take your break. You do not have to be overworked and burned out. You do what you need to do, you make sure that your patients are safe, you do all your documentation, [ensure] your meds are done correctly, [but] no one’s paying you to be overworked and underappreciated.’

A widespread problem—not just in Australia

Saida’s revelations struck a chord online. Many social media users, including student nurses and international viewers, echoed her experiences. 

One student nurse wrote, ‘I had to stop my placement because my teacher and some registered nurses were so rude … [it] scares me even though I want this career so bad.’ 

Another shared, ‘I knew I was getting bullied during placement when a patient told me she felt bad for me with the way the nurse was talking to me and that she saw I was about to cry.’

The phrase ‘eat the young’—referring to the way senior staff can target newcomers—was repeated by several commenters, who described hierarchical bullying as ‘deeply ingrained and culturally normalised within nursing’.

And it’s not just an Australian issue. ‘So nursing is toxic worldwide? Noted!’ wrote one international nurse. However, there were glimmers of hope, with some nurses reporting positive experiences in supportive hospitals. 

‘Depends on what hospital in Australia. My current hospital is brilliant with students and new grads,’ one nurse shared.

Why does this culture persist?

The roots of this toxic culture are complex. Nursing is a high-pressure, high-stakes profession, often under-resourced and underappreciated. 

Long hours, emotional exhaustion, and a lack of institutional support can breed resentment and unhealthy coping mechanisms. 

Tall poppy syndrome, meanwhile, is a cultural phenomenon that discourages individuals from standing out or excelling, lest they become targets for criticism or exclusion.

But the consequences are serious. Bullying and burnout don’t just harm nurses—they can impact patient care, staff retention, and the overall health of our healthcare system.

What needs to change?

Addressing this issue requires more than just individual resilience. Hospitals and health authorities must foster a culture of respect, support, and open communication. 

Mentorship programs, anti-bullying policies, and mental health resources are essential. Senior staff should be trained to support, not sabotage, the next generation of nurses.

Saida’s advice is invaluable for those entering the profession: protect your wellbeing, stand up for your rights, and seek out supportive colleagues. 

And for those who have experienced similar challenges, know that you’re not alone—and that change is possible.

Your voice matters

Have you or someone you know experienced bullying or a toxic culture in the healthcare system? Do you think tall poppy syndrome is holding back our nurses—and our hospitals? 

Or have you found a workplace that bucks the trend and supports its staff? We’d love to hear your stories, advice, and thoughts in the comments below. Let’s start a conversation and work towards a healthier, kinder future for everyone in our hospitals.

Also read: Australia and New Zealand are plagued by ‘tall poppy syndrome’. But would a cure be worse than the disease?