Informal Communication in Healthcare (Gossip and Rumour): Nurses’ Attitudes

This study is a descriptive study aimed to determine nurses’ attitudes towards gossip and rumour. The study used "The Gossip and Rumour Attitude Scale" developed by Eşkin and Yıldırım (2013). The scale consists of four sub-scales: identification, causes, effects and reactions. A total of 268 volunteer nurses participated in the study. Data were collected from December 2011 to February 2012. The study found that gossip and rumour occurred due to certain causes, the female nurses in the study tended to believe more than the male nurses that gossip and rumour harmed an organization, the married nurses in the study considered the results of gossip and rumour to be more positive, and, in comparison with the other groups in the study, the nurses in administrative positions considered reactions to gossip and rumour at the expected level according to social rules. In light of these, it is recommended that this study be replicated using a larger sample.