Abstract
Nurse-to-nurse, or horizontal, hostility creates a multitude of problems. There are a number of specific and direct problems, including impact on the culture of nursing, stress, healthcare economics, and patient outcomes, that are illustrated in the literature. Horizontal hostility is a pervasive and destructive force that must be addressed in every venue in which nursing is involved. This study discusses the problem of horizontal hostility and the impact it has on nursing and healthcare. Nursing theory is applied to practice and provides concepts and frameworks that are utilized to underscore the critical nature of the problem and provide a map for solutions.