What percentage of nurses report experiencing horizontal violence from physicians?

• A. One quarter of nurses.
• B. A majority of nurses.
• C. Two thirds of nurses.
• D. All nurses.

Answer: (C)

Very common in healthcare teams is the pattern of disrespectful or abusive behavior toward nurses by physicians, known as horizontal violence. About two-thirds of nurses report experiencing this from physicians, a figure that shows it is widespread rather than rare. This level of prevalence points to underlying power dynamics and cultural norms in some clinical environments, and it helps explain how such mistreatment can affect morale, retention, teamwork, and patient safety. Recognizing how pervasive it is also highlights the need for strong organizational policies, safe reporting channels, and ongoing training to promote respectful communication and collaboration. The other options underestimate or overstate the reach; it isn’t just a quarter or all nurses, but a substantial majority around two-thirds.