The purpose of this study was to describe the negative influence of lateral violence on the corporate culture, and its impact on the work environment of nurses. An Internet based questionnaire (the Lateral Violence in Nursing Survey) was administered to over 1800 nursing staff. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, we characterized the perceptions of nursing staff in this tertiary care academic medical center. The symptoms of lateral violence at the unit level emerged from the data analysis of over 600 respondents. Staff provided suggestions for how the workplace can be changed to deal with lateral violence, focusing on how the nurse manager can address these negative behaviors. Policy change and specific interventions to address lateral violence behaviors such as scapegoating, backstabbing and sabotage can be used by nurse managers and staff to mitigate the effects of lateral violence. Staff education and effective leadership were identified as the most important elements needed to eliminate lateral violence behaviors in nursing.