Lateral Violence: Lived Experiences of the Psychiatric Nurse

Lateral violence is a matter of interest and cause for alarm among nurses. The literature review, sparse and with few empirical studies, generalizes lateral violence across the nursing discipline; there is no identification of any nursing specialty more at risk for experiencing lateral violence than others. The purpose of this phenomenological-descriptive study is to assess through a voluntary survey, if lateral violence is or has been an experience among psychiatric nurses. A series of focus groups will follow the survey to identify themes relative the psychiatric nurses’ experiences with lateral violence. Atlas ti-7 analytical software will be used to identify and cohort themes brought up by the participants of the focus groups. The sample of convenience will be obtained from the local health care worker union; a postcard will be mailed to union members who are registered nurses. A two-week period will be allotted for completion of the survey.