The influence of horizontal violence on intention to leave among Jordanian nurses: A cross-sectional study

To determine nurses' perception of horizontal violence and its relationship with intention to leave among Jordanian nurses.

Horizontal violence is detrimental to healthcare organizations. Healthcare employees who are victims of horizontal violence may become unable to perform well, living with severe stress. Few studies in the world and no study in Jordan has examined the influence of horizontal violence on intent to stay among nurses.

A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study design was used in this study.

520 registered nurses were recruited, and 436 surveys were returned, resulting in an 83% response rate. The findings showed that, horizontal violence is moderate among nurses in Jordan. The mean score for nurse's intent to leave work indicated a solid willingness to leave the job. The correlation analysis revealed that there was a significant relationship between horizontal violence and intent to leave. Female nurses reported significantly higher scores than males; also, there is a significant difference in responses in horizontal violence based on educational level.

In this study, it was found that horizontal violence in Jordanian organizations is moderate, and it has a significant relationship with nurses' intention to leave.

Nursing managers have a vital role in ensuring and enforcing the 'zero violence' policy in their department, which means that no reported incident of horizontal violence will be ignored. Each identified case of horizontal violence will be investigated and addressed appropriately.