What steps can be taken to stop horizontal violence?

• A. Analyze work unit culture, name the problem, raise issues in meetings, allow storytelling, and provide conflict management training.
• B. Ignore complaints and maintain the status quo.
• C. Increase surveillance and discipline without addressing culture.
• D. Provide only conflict resolution training without identifying problems.

Answer: (A)

Stopping horizontal violence requires addressing the work culture, naming the problem, creating space to talk about it, and equipping staff with practical skills. Analyzing the unit culture helps identify norms, pressures, and triggers that allow mistreatment to persist. Naming the problem sends a clear message that such behavior is not tolerated and establishes accountability. Raising issues in meetings provides a safe, formal venue for concerns to be heard, for patterns to be recognized, and for leaders to intervene. Allowing storytelling gives survivors a chance to validate experiences, raise awareness among peers, and illuminate subtler forms of abuse that may be overlooked. Providing conflict management training then builds the tools nurses need to de-escalate conflicts, set boundaries, and handle disputes constructively. Together, these steps address both the environment and the capabilities needed to prevent horizontal violence.

Why the other choices fit poorly: ignoring complaints and maintaining the status quo perpetuates the harm and signals that abuse is acceptable. increasing surveillance and discipline without addressing culture can foster fear and resentment without changing underlying dynamics. providing only conflict resolution training without identifying and addressing the underlying problems misses systemic issues that allow mistreatment to continue.