The Disruptive Force of Lateral Violence in the Health Care Setting

The health care workplace is intensely stressful, regulated by levels of bureaucracy, enforced by strict norms of behavior, and characterized by challenging and sizable workloads. This can create a breeding ground for lateral violence, commonly referred to as workplace bullying. This article is designed to help nurse practitioners understand lateral violence consequences and prevention strategies. Response to lateral violence is an ethical obligation for nurse practitioners. In order to reduce disruption to patient care and prevent monetary losses to health care organizations, nurse practitioners should advocate for changes in nursing education, accreditation standards, and policies targeted at the elimination of lateral violence.