Horizontal violence is ruining my unit

It's the same way where I work, but I work in a small place, there are no other floors or departments for me to move to.

I have to stay there 7 more years to get my retirement in before i can say I quit.

management is aware of the problem, but doesn't seem to care as long as the shifts are covered.the any warm body will do and divide and conquer mentality. if nurses keep treating each other like crud, then what is this shortage going to be like when we get old?

I work on a chaotic progressive care unit. It's stressful enough without horizontal violence added to the mix. We can't keep anyone. All the new grads keep quitting because of it. Even two of our seasoned nurses switched departments because of all the in-fighting. Everyone else has to keep working short. Management is aware of the problem, but doesn't seem to care as long as the shifts are covered. It got so bad that one nurse said she couldn't take nursing anymore and left to become a real estate agent. She's been a nurse for 15 years! What do you do, keep switching jobs? I've been working on this unit for over 4 years. I like PCU and don't want to leave. If nurses keep treating each other like crud, then what is this shortage going to be like when we get old?

Horizontal violence has the potential to exist any time you work with others. It is devastating though. Some people are just ....... (insert your own word). And I hate to say it, but the women tend to be worse than the men.

I kept moving around until I found a supportive and united group. They are out there, but only about 25% (according to my experience). Well worth searching for.

I have never understood the economic 'sense' of allowing tons of nurses to quit a department in a hospital vs firing the one or two nurses that is probably causing 90% of the problems.

I hate to hear that you are experiencing this, but I think you need to take heed, pay attention to what those other nurses are doing and hit the road when something else more desireable appears. It is not worth the stress or (most importantly), your license.

One of the disadvantages of this is depending on where you live, other options may not be immediately available. We do have to eat, and we work to live; hopefully not live to work. Good luck.

I kept moving around until I found a supportive and united group. They are out there, but only about 25% (according to my experience). Well worth searching for.

I'm glad you found it but the trouble is that a good situation can change in the twinkle of an eye. No guarantee that a good thing won't ever go bad. I hope yours doesn't but I think you know what I mean.

I work on a chaotic progressive care unit. It's stressful enough without horizontal violence added to the mix. We can't keep anyone. All the new grads keep quitting because of it. Even two of our seasoned nurses switched departments because of all the in-fighting. Everyone else has to keep working short. Management is aware of the problem, but doesn't seem to care as long as the shifts are covered. It got so bad that one nurse said she couldn't take nursing anymore and left to become a real estate agent. She's been a nurse for 15 years! What do you do, keep switching jobs? I've been working on this unit for over 4 years. I like PCU and don't want to leave. If nurses keep treating each other like crud, then what is this shortage going to be like when we get old?

What seems to be the problem? And what have you and your peers tried doing to correct it?

I work on a floor that seems to be imploding right now. I can't transfer for a while for a variety of reasons....I really like most of the people I work with, it's just that personalities do NOT mesh with a few folks. So I've decided to be the change I wish to see. I try very hard to NEVER say anything negative about any of my coworkers while at work. I try to smile and great every coworker, asking "How's it going? Do you need some help?" at least once each shift. Another nurse and I are independently trying to recognize everyone's birthday by bringing in goodies (cupcakes, cookies, etc) when they work.

We've only JUST started this. I don't know if it will work or not--but it makes ME feel better. Like I'm not being drawn into it as much. I don't feel badly about myself when I go home from work; let the ones who are being jerks to each other feel that way.

What seems to be the problem? And what have you and your peers tried doing to correct it?

The problem seems to be that a few nurses are bent on spreading negativity and targeting other nurses. Malicious rumors and just other hateful behavior is going on. These nurses are in with management so the rest of us don't really stand a chance to defend ourselves. I' ve heard them lie about someone's performance and purposely not pass nursing information along to other nurses. Some of their nursing practices and charting are questionable. In our setup we all share the same patients on shift, so everyone is held liable for the patients even if information was not passed along or if there are bad practices going on. Over the last few years, it has become such a mentally and emotionally drainage position. My co-worker "Rachel" told me that she is so drained and bitter that it's affecting her home life with her husband and son. I don't want to start taking this stuff home with me too. I've got a family and more important things I should be worrying about. It's such an uncomfortable environment for everyone, except those other nurses. A lot of us have gone to the department director to try to deal with this. We're still waiting for something to happen.

I forgot to ask something. Any of you other nurses have any ideas on how to create a positive atmosphere? Do you think team building activities would work? We have staff meetings every two weeks. Is it appropriate for us nurses and not our director to bring up the problem then? We always have a few minutes at the end for nursing questions and concerns. Well, I've got to got to head to work now. Wish me luck in surviving that place another morning.

Hi all,

Because I can't sleep but I drank toooooooo much coffe, loool, because I analyzed too much all the time and because I readed your inquires I have couple of information found it about "horizontal violence" for you.

Horizotal violence is a intergroup conflict is a hostile and aggressive behaviour by individual or group members towards another member or groups of members of the larger group(Duffy 1995).

It is behaviour associated with oppressed groups and can occur in any arena where there are unequal power relations, and one group's self expression and autonomy is controlled by forces with greater prestige, power and status than themselves (Harcombe 1999).

It may be conscious or unconscious behaviour (Taylor 1996). (That is very important, persons involved could not be consciousness about them behaviors...are only "how they used to be").Some groups of people within each particular workplace unconsciously adopt inflated feelings and attitudes of superiority.

It is, generally, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually damaging behaviour and can have devastating long term effects on the recipients (Wilkie 1996).

Horizontal violence includes:

All acts of unkindness, discourtesy, sabotage, divisiveness, infighting, lack of cohesiveness, scapegoating and criticism . For example:

Belittling gestures e.g. deliberate rolling of eyes, folding arms, staring into space when communication being attempted - Body language designed to discomfort the other

Verbal abuse including name calling, threatening, intimidating, dismissing, belittling, undermining, humorous 'put downs'

Gossiping (destructive, negative, nasty talk), talking behind the back, backbiting

Sarcastic comments

Fault finding (nitpicking) - different to those situations where professional and clinical development is required.

Ignoring or minimising another's concerns

Slurs and jokes based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation

Sending to 'Coventry', 'freezing out' excluding from activities and conversation, work related and social.

Comments that devalue: people's area of practice; women; others that are different to the 'norm'.

Disinterest, discouragement and withholding support

Limiting right to free speech and right to have an opinion

Behaviours which seek to control or dominate (power 'over' rather than power 'with')

Elitist attitudes regarding work area, education, experience etc "better than" attitude

Punishing activities by management e.g. Repeatedly sending someone out of area; bad rosters; chronic under staffing; lack of concern with mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health of employees

Lack of participation in professional organisations (a subtle form of self-hatred) however, busy family lives can preclude participating in professional organizations.

Effects of horizontal violence - The effects of ongoing horizontal violence are progressive if not addressed and are explained in the following description of stress breakdown.

The following list is divided into three stages as described by William Wilke (1996 3 - 5)

Stage 1 (activation of the fight or flight response - circulating adrenalin)

Reduced self esteem

Sleeping disorders

Free floating anxiety

Stage 2 (neurotransmitters depleted with lack of sleep - fatigue - brain over stimulated and oversensitive)

Difficulty with emotional control - bursting into tears or laughter or irritable and angry in response

Difficulty with motivation - self-starter seems to be 'burnt out'.

Stage 3 (brain's circuit breakers activated)

A relative intolerance of sensory stimulation

A loss of the ability to ignore things that before were manageable

Changed response patterns which superficially resemble a change of personality (brain circuit breakers induce person to actively reduce incoming stimuli)

Horizontal violence can result in:

Sleep disorders

Poor self esteem

Hypertension

Eating disorders

Nervous conditions

Low morale

Apathy

Disconnectedness

Depression

Impaired personal relationships

Removal of self from workplace - psychologically, physically (sick leave, stress leave, resignation)

Suicide (successful or attempted)

Strategies for personal action to avoid horizontal violence and create a safe, happy workplace:

Name the problem - use the term 'horizontal violence' to refer to the situation.

Raise issue at staff meetings - break the silence about this issue

Ask about a process for dealing with this issue in your workplace

Engage in reflective practice - keep a journal, raise your self awareness about your own values, beliefs and attitudes and your own behaviour; begin or continue a path of personal growth - own your 'shadow' - ensure you are part of the solution, not part of the problem, (and we all are part of the problem at times - the important thing is to note and address it)

Ensure self caring behaviours, massage, counseling, peer support, good nutrition, adequate sleep, time out, meditation, exercise - do the things that help you to be healthy and happy in all aspects of your human ness.

Be willing to speak up when you witness it happening and name 'horizontal violence' for what it is.

Strategies for management to avoid horizontal violence and create a safe, happy workplace:

Successful strategies come from the top and require an ongoing commitment to culture change concerning horizontal violence!

Gain knowledge about Horizontal Violence and its causes, conduct regular meetings with a designated committee and institute a program to address this issue; supervise its operation and success

Undertake a formal thorough analysis of your unit's culture.

Ensure there is a process for dealing with this issue in your workplace and follow it

Have a policy about harmonious workplace relations, support and encouragement of students, new staff members and staff generally.

Foster an environment of open collaboration, exploring and healing of issues, rather than fault-finding and blame.

Support workers' autonomy and initiative and promote a learning culture

Provide education about processes to promptly report incidences of victimisation; support and encourage people to do so.

Monitor staff morale and address issues which negatively impact upon morale

Ensure that staffing is adequate, that rosters are fair and allocation to areas is fair within your unit/institution; ensure that all staff have equal opportunity for advancement and education.

Engage in self-awareness activities and in reflective practice. Ask for feedback from staff about your management practices and not just from close associates

Institute open, honest and supportive dialogue through peer review - strategies which are process based, not personality based.

Revise and articulate core values of institution and health care, make one core value a topic at each team meeting

Engage in self care activities as above

Access to appropriate counseling services in the workplace is essential for staff involved in this issue. Information about these services should be displayed in an easily observed place.

What to do if you are subject to horizontal violence

Address the behaviour immediately with the perpetrator - most people have no idea they are doing it. Horizontal violence is usually a product of unconscious dysfunctional patterns. These are patterns that fit the 'victim, rescuer, persecutor' triangle model of unhealthy human behaviour . Use conflict management strategies; say "I feel ... (whatever you are feeling) when you...(whatever they are doing)..." Use the broken record approach - repeat the process if the other person makes excuses, denies or dismisses incident. Accept their statement and repeat, saying "that may be so and I feel (whatever you feel) when you...(whatever they do or say that is an issue for you). Feel the fear and do it anyway. Respond with a clear intent. Ensure you are willing to engage in uncontaminated communication.

If you don't get any positive response, or if the behaviour continues:

Take comprehensive notes regarding the incidences - this can be in diary form.

Name it - refer to it as Horizontal Violence

Speak to your supervisor about the incident(s)

Obtain counseling support

If your health is adversely affected, you may be able to claim WorkCover.

I attached is a study may be could helps at the end you will find a lot of references, try to write her and discuss with her your problem is seems that is specialist in domain.

http://nursingworld.org/mods/mod440/lateralfull.htm

Hoping that your in your world nursing will start to be better, and you will be HAAPPPPYYYYYYY lots of hugs Zuzi, muaaah :icon_hug: