Tolerating newcomers by hazing

This paper aims to explore how experienced nurses relate to hazing and uncover the underlying limits of tolerance for newcomers.

Data were collected through eight qualitative focus group interviews (n = 35) and analysed using reflexive thematic coding.

The analysis revealed three themes in the limits of experienced nurses’ tolerance of newcomers: “Don’t be sensitive”, “Prove your respectability” and “Accept your inequality of rights”.

The paper challenges existing perspectives on hazing motivation since tolerating newcomers is motivated by defending the status quo against threatening and challenging newcomers.