Neutralization and deviance in the workplace: Theft of supplies and medicines by hospital nurses

This article focuses on the phenomenon of on‐the‐job deviance among nurses. Deviant behaviors such as supply theft, drug theft, drug use, and procedural shortcuts are addressed from a theoretical perspective that incorporates components of differential association, social learning, and techniques of neutralization theories. Interview data from 25 registered nurses working in hospital critical care units are used to illustrate how nurses readily neutralize their deviant behaviors by using established rationalization schemes. The data suggest that the nature and limits of these rationalizations are created, perpetuated, and disseminated by the nursing work group. Moreover, evidence is presented that suggests that these rationalizations function as a priori discriminate stimuli, not simply as post hoc justifications for deviant behaviors.