Nurses’ Workplace Discrimination Experiences and Their Reflections on Career Development: A Qualitative Study

Aim: This study was conducted to examine how nurses experience discriminatory behaviors in the workplace and how these experiences are reflected in their career development. Background: Although discrimination constitutes a significant challenge in nurses’ professional lives, qualitative research examining how these experiences influence their career development processes remains limited. Methods: This phenomenological study was conducted with nurses working in a public hospital in Turkey. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 21 nurses during the study. Participants were selected from various clinical settings through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step content analysis method. Ethics committee approval was obtained for this study. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist guided the study reporting. Results: Five main themes with seven subthemes emerged: (1) Discrimination Experiences (types of discrimination, sources of discrimination, emotions/feelings), (2) Reporting Behavior (decision and consequences of reporting, reasons for not reporting), (3) Impact of Discrimination on Career Development (supportive effect, hindering effect), (4) Coping Strategies, and (5) Suggestions for Preventing Discrimination. Discussion: These themes highlight that discrimination is a multidimensional phenomenon and that holistic approaches must be developed at emotional, structural, professional, and institutional levels to cope with it. Conclusion: For some nurses, discrimination acts as a transformative process that supports career development, while for others, it represents a significant barrier to professional advancement. Implications for Nursing/Nursing Policy: The findings highlight the need to strengthen reporting mechanisms, establish a supportive work culture, and implement inclusive institutional policies that promote career development.