Which term describes aggression from one nurse toward a coworker at the same organizational level?

Which term describes aggression from one nurse toward a coworker at the same organizational level?

• A. Horizontal violence
• B. Vertical violence
• C. Lateral violence
• D. Workplace violence

Answer: (A)

Aggression between coworkers at the same level is described as horizontal violence. This term captures peer-to-peer aggression among colleagues who hold similar positions in the organization, such as nurses on the same unit. The behaviors can be verbal put-downs, undermining a coworker’s work, spreading rumors, social exclusion, or other non-physical acts that undermine a peer. It’s different from vertical violence, which involves someone higher or lower in the hierarchy directing aggression toward a nurse, and from workplace violence as a broader category that can include physical violence and incidents across different levels. Sometimes you’ll see the term lateral violence used interchangeably, but the core idea is the same: harm directed at a coworker at the same rank.

Aggression between coworkers at the same level is described as horizontal violence. This term captures peer-to-peer aggression among colleagues who hold similar positions in the organization, such as nurses on the same unit. The behaviors can be verbal put-downs, undermining a coworker’s work, spreading rumors, social exclusion, or other non-physical acts that undermine a peer. It’s different from vertical violence, which involves someone higher or lower in the hierarchy directing aggression toward a nurse, and from workplace violence as a broader category that can include physical violence and incidents across different levels. Sometimes you’ll see the term lateral violence used interchangeably, but the core idea is the same: harm directed at a coworker at the same rank.