Authors

  1. Longo, Joy PhD, RN
  2. Smith, Marlaine C. PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN

Abstract

In the health care environment, threats exist that can impact a nurse's ability to provide safe, quality care. One of these threats is disruptive behavior among health care workers in which negative interactions adversely affect communication and collaboration. When this occurs among nurses, it is identified as horizontal violence. An underlying concept is power. When attempting to address these behaviors in the workplace, it is important that nurses recognize the context in which they occur so sustaining changes can be made. Community building among nurses may be an appropriate approach to give nurses the skills to make these changes.