BellaOnline Forums Career Nursing Horizontal Violence in Nursing

I posted an article on horizontal violence in nursing, also known as lateral violence, nurse on nurse violence, incivility in nursing, or "eating our young".

Have you, in your nursing career, been the target of horizontal violence? If so, what were the actions of the perpetrator? How did you, or are you, handling it?

What steps do you think will help decrease and end horizontal violence in nursing?

I have added a poll to the nursing forum, please take time to answer the poll of if you have ever been the victim of horizontal violence.

Lorraine Hover
MSN, BA, RN
Nursing Editor BellaOnline.com

Nurses' hands do God's work here on Earth.

Horizontal Violence multiple choice

Have been a victim of verbal abuse. (0%, 0 Votes)

Have been victim of physical abuse. (0%, 0 Votes)

Never have been the victim, but know someone who was a victim. (100%, 1 Votes)

I have considered leaving nursing due to horizontal violence. (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Votes: 1 Voting on this poll ends: 03/18/12 03:44 AM

Thanks Lorraine. I didn't realize this was such a prevalent problem. To the outsider, we view medical professionals as teams. I think people expect real life to be like an episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Lyn,

Unfortunately, lateral violence - which is also known as horizontal violence or "eating our own" has been a long "tradition" in nursing and not a tradition I want us to keep! The ability to weed out those who commit such acts must be done quickly. Lateral Violence is cited as the number one reason new nurses choose to leave the profession (forever) within the first 12 months of having their RN license. While I have been blessed and not been a victim of it either in nursing school or as I took on my first jobs, it angers me that nurses, those who are supposed to be caring, compassionate and empathetic would treat a professional colleague in such ways.

Lateral Violence is the topic to my dissertation, which I am able to start writing the first chapter of it in my next course - I am so excited!

But it also breaks my heart that a topic which can and will destroy careers and lives is still present in the 21st Century.

I will be sharing more on lateral violence in the not so distant future.

Thanks for dropping in and sharing Lyn - I appreciate it!

Lorraine