What is horizontal violence in the workplace?

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Acts of aggression by one nurse colleague against another is termed horizontal violence (HV) (Longo & Sherman, 2007). Horizontal or lateral violence has been described broadly as any unwanted abuse or hostility within the workplace (Stanley, Martin, Nemeth, Michel, & Welton, 2007).



Keeping this in view, what is the difference between horizontal and lateral violence?

According to Bechner and Visovsky, authors of “Horizontal Violence in Nursing,” lateral or horizontal violence is defined by acts of unwanted abuse or hostility in the workplace, where bullying is described as repeated acts of aggression over a period of time (2012).

One may also ask, what can be done about horizontal violence? These strategies include eliminating any type of threat or mistreatment directed at nurses that exists in the workplace. Mistreatment of nurses—including verbal abuse, intimidation, and passive-aggressive behavior—directly affects the collaboration needed between nurse and healthcare provider.

One may also ask, what is lateral violence in the workplace?

Lateral Violence in the Workplace. Lateral violence has been defined as “nurses covertly or overtly directing their dissatisfaction inward toward each other, towards themselves, and toward those less powerful than themselves,” which can take many forms.

How can we prevent horizontal violence in nursing?

Other ways to reduce lateral violence include:

  1. Providing Conflict Resolution Training to Nurse Managers. Confronting a bully isn't always easy, even if you're his or her supervisor.
  2. Encouraging Teamwork.
  3. Involve Human Resources.

23 Related Question Answers Found

What is an example of horizontal violence?

Thobaben (2007) defined horizontal violence as “hostile, aggressive, and harmful behavior by a nurse or group of nurses toward a coworker or group of nurses via attitudes, actions, words and/or behaviors” (p. 82).

What is horizontal hostility in nursing?

Hazing between peers, also called “horizontal hostility,” is the belittling of fellow nurses and is often used to demonstrate dominance over others. This usually occurs to nursing students during clinicals, and is executed by veteran workers in the workplace.

How does horizontal violence affect patient care?

Some nurses believe that horizontal violence threatens the safety of patients [18] and diminishes the quality of their care [10]. When behavior similar to horizontal violence occurs among healthcare providers from different disciplines, the term disruptive behavior is often used to name the behavior.

How do nurses deal with lateral violence?

Other steps you can take to deal with lateral violence include:
  1. Call for help while the bullying behavior is occurring.
  2. Consider taking time off to care for yourself physically and mentally.
  3. Document all incidents of workplace violence, including verbal abuse and harassment.

What causes horizontal violence in nursing?


Conversely, negative workplace relationships can disrupt team performance, creating a work environment that can lead to burnout, increased staff turnover, and poor patient outcomes. Acts of aggression by one nurse colleague against another is termed horizontal violence (HV) (Longo & Sherman, 2007).

What is horizontal aggression?

Horizontal aggression can occur between members of the same racial group or between members of different, targeted racial groups. Examples of horizontal aggression occurring between members of the same racial group: An Asian person telling another Asian who is wearing a Sari to dress like an "American".

What is vertical violence in nursing?

Vertical violence occurs between individuals at different. power levels on the nursing hierarchy and may be directed downward (e.g., nurse. manager or charge nurse to staff nurse) or upward, (e.g., staff nurse to nurse manager. or charge nurse). Vertical violence behaviors are intimidating and/or undermining and.

What is lateral violence in healthcare?

Lateral violence has been defined as “nurses covertly or overtly directing their dissatisfaction inward toward each other, towards themselves, and toward those less powerful than themselves,” which can take many forms.

What are some examples of covert lateral violence?

Covert lateral violence is initially more difficult to identify and includes unfair assignments, marginalizing a person, refusing to help someone, ignoring someone, making faces behind someone's back, refusing to work with certain people, whining, sabotage, exclusion, and fabrication.

How can you prevent lateral violence?


Creating a comprehensive plan which addresses lateral violence will help you stop negative behaviors and improve employee satisfaction.

Other ways to reduce lateral violence include:
  1. Providing Conflict Resolution Training to Nurse Managers.
  2. Encouraging Teamwork.
  3. Involve Human Resources.

Who is a target for lateral violence?

LATERAL VIOLENCE DEFINED
The term lateral violence refers to a pattern of work- place conflict in which confrontational behavior is targeted at 1 person by another employed at the same level of responsibility across time in repeated instances of emotional, psychological, physical, or sexual abuse.

What are some nursing practice issues?

Here are five big issues facing nurses:
  • Staffing. Short-staffing in hospital settings is a top concern for nurses.
  • Long working hours. To help make up for staffing shortages, nurses are often required to work long shifts.
  • Workplace hazards.
  • Workplace violence.
  • Bullying and harassment.

What is the nurses code of ethics?

The Code of Ethics for Nurses developed by the American Nurses Association (ANA) makes explicit the primary goals, values, and obligations of the profession. It is a succinct statement of the ethical obligations and duties of every individual who enters the nursing profession.

What is incivility in nursing?

Practice & Advocacy
Incivility, bullying, and violence in the workplace are serious issues in nursing, with incivility and bullying widespread in all settings. Incivility is “one or more rude, discourteous, or disrespectful actions that may or may not have a negative intent behind them”.

What is the purpose of ANA Code of Ethics?


The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses serves the following purposes: It is a succinct statement of the ethical obligations and duties of every individual who enters the nursing profession. It is the profession's nonnegotiable ethical standard. It is an expression of nursing's own understanding of its commitment to society.

How can nurses improve their work environment?

14 Steps to Improve Nursing Work Environments
  1. Quality of Leadership.
  2. Organizational Structure.
  3. Management Style.
  4. Personnel Policies and Programs.
  5. Professional Models of Care.
  6. Quality of Care.
  7. Quality Improvement.
  8. Consultation and Resources.

Do nurses gossip about patients?

Broken Relationships
Nurse station gossip is usually about a co-worker, a supervisor, or a patient. In some cases, nurses might even gossip about life outside of work. Depending on the nature of the gossip, it can even make some nurses feel unsafe.