Tolerating newcomers by hazing

Purpose: This paper aims to explore how experienced nurses relate to hazing and uncover the underlying limits of tolerance for newcomers. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through eight qualitative focus group interviews (n = 35) and analysed using reflexive thematic coding. Findings: 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”. Originality/value: The paper challenges existing perspectives on hazing motivation since tolerating newcomers is motivated by defending the status quo against threatening and challenging newcomers.