BACKGROUND:
The impact of horizontal violence is multifaceted. From the impact upon the
individual, the unit, and the institution, horizontal violence affects
professional nursing activities in a variety of aspects of health care.
OBJECTIVE:
To examine registered nurses' experiences with horizontal
violence and explore the relationship between horizontal violence and intent
to leave.
PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 300 registered nurses from a Midwestern
hospital received the Briles' Sabotage Savvy Questionnaire (BSSQ), the
Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire (MOAQ) Intent to Turnover
measure, and a Demographic questionnaire.
METHODS: Descriptive correlational study was implemented. Questionnaires
were distributed to the selected registered nurses. Descriptive and
correlational statistics were calculated.
RESULTS: Horizontal violence had been experienced by nurses of all ages and
experience. Based upon measurement tools, examples of horizontal violence
were: Being held responsible for coworkers' duties; Reprimanded or
confronted in front of others; Failure to be acknowledged or confronted in
front of others; and Untrue information about you being passed or exchanged.
Correlations indicated a significant, positive relationship between
perceptions of horizontal violence and intent to leave. Results also
indicated the longer nurses were employed the more likely to perceive
themselves as victims of horizontal violence. Additionally, results
associated with the MOAQ, age and years employed indicated that older nurses
and those with increasing years of employment were less likely to leave.
Younger nurses indicated more willingness to leave a position due to
perceived horizontal violence than older nurses.
CONCLUSIONS: Activities to address the impact of perceived horizontal
violence are needed. Workplace strategies may include mentoring, ongoing
assessment of organizational climate, and zero tolerance for horizontal
violence.
