. Introduction

Horizontal violence (HV) has been defined by many authors and despite the definitions varying, the term has been mostly described as actions, words or other behaviors which are directed at ones peers (Becher & Visovsky 2012), (Dumont, Meisinger, Whitacre & Corbin, 2012). The specific behaviors, words and actions are meant to humiliate, and injure the recipients dignity. Horizontal violence is aimed at demeaning an individual and having total disrespect towards them.

Tedone, (2020) defines horizontal violence in nursing as nurse-to-peer bullying. The author argues that bullying among nurse peers is an uncivilized act which has taken part over the years. Horizontal violence has been termed as a plague in the nursing profession. It is quite unfortunate that it has become an acceptable act for one nurse to demean the other without fear of consequence. One of the most crucial rhetorical questions one would ask is whether the human psychology system allows one nurse to bully the other. Nurses are always under pressure to provide optimum care to patients and most of the times, nurses are mentally prepared to conduct their responsibilities without interruption. However, when they encounter stress from the clinical realm or other external factors, the quality of their care decreases and this becomes a crucial issue when it comes to their performance.

The purpose of this essay is to write a proposal to a funding agency on the problems that nurses encounter in their profession. The essay will also establish reasons for the said funding.

1.2 Problem

One of the major problems in HV among nurses is that there is a cycle of silence. In an article by Tedone (2020), the author states that most nurses prefer to minimize confrontation from their peers because they may be labelled by their colleagues as snitches. Despite there being a code of conduct in the nursing profession, HV has become extreme and its roots are too deep, meaning crucial strategies may need to be implemented to mitigate the effects of HV among nurses.

The other problem of HV is that it results in long-term damage among nurses. Tedone, (2020) argues that nurses have been accused of eating their young ones. The phrase young ones has been used in place of the new nurses. The victim, who is the young one in this case, ends up with psychological torture and low self-esteem. A report by Stiehr and Smith (2014) shows that not only is HV a stressor for a nurse in the work environment, rather it is also steers psychological damage in the long term. The victims are likely to encounter depression, very low self-esteem, reduced productivity at work and truancy. Bloom (2019) concurs with Stiehr and Smith (2014) on the effects of HV on nurses. Bloom (2019) goes further to add that victims are likely to have low concentration, increased stress level, and frequent frustration.

The cost of horizontal violence among nurses is a problem that the funding agency needs to understand. A study conducted by Hassard, Teoh, Visockaite, Dewe, and Cox (2018) shows that the total cost of psychological aggression at the workplace is $114.64 million to $35.9 billion. The study was analyzed from five developed countries including US, UK, Spain, Italy and Australia. The study argues that there has been increased incivility among nurses in the United States and the cost has been approximately $24 billion annually. The study also revealed that the cost for each nurse in the ICU was approximately $145,000. The costs described are those incurred in efforts of treating nurses who have been bullied. The costs also include the amount of productivity a health facility may have lost as a result of HV.

Stopping the cycle is a key problem for healthcare institutions. First, most institutions prefer not to let people know that nurses are eating their young ones (Tedone, 2020). It may sound pervasive at first but it has detrimental effect to the victims. While most healthcare institutions aim at improving their image, there do not want to let news out that they are experiencing HV. It may be ironical for the public to hear that the so-called caring professionals do not to care for each other.

The most crucial limitations that victims of HV encounter include confronting their aggressor, making a formal complaint to the organization, taking legal action, getting help from employer or gaining control of the situation. HV is mostly related with intimidation and those involved are new nurses in the profession. New nurses may require motivation and empowerment to fight for their rights. Psychological torture is a serious concern as it could have a negative effect on both performance and the long-term wellbeing of an individual (Weaver, 2013). It would be important for the funding agency to establish ways of mitigating the risk of new and existing nurses getting involved in HV during their time as nurses. The trickle-down effects of HV to an institution creep in slowly and cause psychological and financial damage to an institution.

1.3 Significance

The significance of the proposal is to get the funding agency to look into the grievances of nurses who are largely affected by HV. The proposal is also aimed at informing the funding agency on healthy work environment that nurses require as they care for patients. This will involve a lot of financial and psychological support from the institution or willing sponsors.

Assessing the type of violent and abusive words and behaviors in healthcare institutions by the funding agency will provide a clear view of the entire ordeal and hence help in making strategic steps towards mitigating HV and provision of a healthy work environment for nurse.

1.4 Feasibility

A funding agency would be the most reliable institution that would assist nurses who have already encountered HV in their profession heal from it. The funding agency will act as a sponsor to nurses with psychological problems including depression, aggression...…higher frequency will mean that HV has a high negative impact on nurses and their profession.

4.3 Budget

We aim to provide a budget with regard to assisting nurses recover from psychological disorders as a result of HV. The budget amount that we request from the funding agency is to assist us with our research. Our research is aimed at evaluating a crucial problem in the society and establishing ways of mitigating its effects on the victims.

For the research to be successful, we will need to hire personnel who will require salaries and wages. We will need interviewers who will conduct face-to-face interviews with victims. We also need consultants, research assistants, editorial assistants, and data managers and analysts. We estimate that the cost of salaries and wages for personnel who take part in the search will be $100,000 for one year. The second group of items in the budget is equipment to be used. We will need computer machines and office equipment which may total up to $25,000. We may need a minivan which may be used by interviewers as they move from to place to interview victims. We have an option of leasing a van or purchasing one. We would rather purchase one because it may be beneficial as we move forward. The price of a minivan is $30,000. We may go further into holding professional conferences as we continue with the research and this may total up to another $30,000.

Extra cost may be in form of renting a place to stay for three nights when the interviewers travel afar. We may need a total of 10 interviewers who may spend $5,000 each. We will also need gas as we travel and this may be approximately $40 per day which may be $120 for three days of travelling.

5.0 Conclusion

The essay presents a proposal to the funding agency on issues that are related to horizontal violence in nursing. The essay establishes that horizontal violence is experienced in hospitals and other health facilities and also has detrimental effects on the victims. From the literature review, especially with regard to the various studies conducted by Egues and Leinung (2013) and Bloom (2019), it is clear that HV results in very heavy costs to health facilities and victims. One of the reasons is that HV could trigger mental disorders, low self-esteem, oppression, and increased stress levels. All these factors then result in trickle down effects such as low quality of patient care. Many healthcare institutions do not want to be put in the limelight for having incidences of HV among nurses. Although it is important to respect an institutions privacy, and measures towards this end will be embraced and implemented, it is also crucial to promote the wellbeing of nurses who have victims of the phenomenon. The essay has proposed a budget for the agency to assist the said victims.

The budget proposal has divided the cost of the research into the different…