Horizontal aggression is abuse or violence occurring among workers. Horizontal hostility comprises many types of inappropriate or disruptive behaviour such as intimidation, constant criticism, gossips, insults, bullying and many more. Other examples of horizontal hostility that seem passive include unfair job assignments, favouritism, instants of undermining a colleague, discrimination regarding job evaluation, sarcastic comments, holding a grudge for a long a time among others. Mainly, horizontal aggression is covertly making it difficult for a victim to seek help in the working environment. The actual figure of prevalence and incidences of horizontal aggression in nursing are difficult to know because many cases go unreported or unrecognized. However, research shows that it is widespread with about 60%-80% of the nurses said to have either witnessed or experienced it. Due to the extensiveness of the behaviour, it is essential to look at the impact it has on nur
ses and the future of nursing professional practice for the sake of creating awareness.
First, repeated cases of horizontal aggression to a victim cause depression, decreased self-esteem, and reduction in self-confidence. The victim may also develop symptoms of anxiety and sleeping problems. Many scholars have reported that nurses suffering from the above issues lose morale to work, and levels of empathy and connectedness become minimal. Also, physical signs may occur such as a drastic loss of weight, weight gain, or a sudden change in eating habits, and an opposing end may cause hypertension. According to Mendez, the constant exposure of horizontal aggression may cause the nurse to lose enthusiasm on the profession due to the most significant incidents of burnout. The burnout causes high levels of stress, and the above conditions will make a victim perform poorly at work. In the end, the patients will receive health care services that are below the optimal level.