Lateral Violence in Nursing

The findings of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) regarding lateral violence unequivocally denote that it is noxious throughout the nursing profession. Moreover, the harm caused by this phenomenon is destructive on myriad levels. Firstly, evidence indicates that lateral violence occurs with alarming frequency -- so much so, in fact, that it is difficult to report because of its exceedingly high rate of incidence. Moreover, the repercussions of this occurrence are so widespread because of its encompassing nature; it can involve anything from verbal abuse to deliberate professional sleights related to assignments. It is perhaps most detrimental to the nurses who are the victims of such violence, although it also erodes nursing units and groups and decreases the likelihood of patients achieving their projected outcomes.

These findings relate to the issue of lateral violence in that they underscore its seriousness. Many of the solid statistics about the pervasiveness and harm of this phenomenon reinforce the austerity of its effects on the nursing profession. Lateral violence contributes to negative health outcomes for nurses, and also leads many in this profession to quit and consider other professions. The accumulation of so many facts about the malefic effects of negative violence contained in the EBP findings helps convey the fact that this problem is substantially hindering the effectiveness of the nursing profession. It also suggests that oftentimes, this occurrence is caused by petty, superficial reasons on the part of those who perpetrate it, oftentimes to the detriments of both the direct and indirect victims.

My own experience with lateral violence is predominantly indirect. I have certainly witnessed my share of the sort of verbal abuse that constitutes certain facets of this occurrence. I have seen supervisors speak to other nurses disparagingly, and with their voices raised to levels which were not acceptable and plainly derogatory. Similarly, I have heard a number of caustically sarcastic remarks directed to subordinate nurses from their superiors. I have also witnessed other nurses having to do remedial tasks, such as to clean excessively sordid areas, as punishments of sorts for incurring the disfavor of their supervisors.