The Effects of Horizontal Violence and Bullying on New Nurse Retention

In Brief Horizontal violence and bullying are pervasive throughout nursing. New graduate nurses are at higher risk. Challenged with the task of making the transition from student to practitioner, new graduates often lack the confidence and social connectivity that may ward off interpersonal conflict. Continued interpersonal violence directed at new graduates may lead to negative physical and psychological consequences, high turnover rates, or abandonment of the profession. This article describes possible strategies to break the chain of violence. The author posits that interpersonal violence may cause new graduates to leave the profession and suggests strategies to ameliorate the problem.