Codependency in Nurses: How It Affects Your Organization

Abstract

Codependence in a staff nurse affects both direct patient care and relationships with coworkers, physicians, and supervisors. Codependent behaviors negatively impact the nurse's sphere of influence. The nurse manager's codependency has the same impact, but the sphere of influence is larger and thus, the potential for harm is greater. Codependent behaviors enacted at different levels of an organization can disrupt an entire institution or profession. The author describes how nurses' practices are affected by codependent behaviors and identifies ways in which those behaviors can be modified by good management.